Basement Waterproofing - All You Need To Know!

You may not have already thought about waterproofing your basement. However, it might be a good idea to start thinking about it now. You may not find any problems during the hot summer months, but when the rainy season arrives, you will no doubt start to notice the problems an un-waterproofed basement can bring! What is Basement Waterproofing and Why Should You Do It? Basement Waterproofing is not usually needed in newer homes as they are generally pretty well waterproofed already.

However, older homes, or homes that were built before the year 1970, tend to have a lot more problems due to the fact that construction in the old days was not as good as it is today! However, it is not only the construction that could be at fault. Over the years, a water protection system of a house can break down and become less efficient.

It is only natural that wear and tear happens over the years and that is why older houses are more at risk. This is when you will notice that your basement is quite wet. If you leave that wet problem alone, it will only become worse, so it is always better to get the problem fixed before a major problem arises.

 Why exactly should you fix a wet basement problem? Well, at first the wet problem may just cause a slight odor that you may think is nothing really to worry about and generally it is it not. However, the problem then tends to progress into forming mildew and that quickly damages any furniture or other things that may be in the basement.

A damp environment generally decays rather quickly! Another thing to consider is that asthma sufferers will not be able to go into the affected damp room as it could cause breathing difficulties. Finally, a damp environment attracts pests, so you will not only have an extremely wet, smelly, damaged basement, but you will also have a pretty serious pest problem before long, too!

 So it is always better to waterproof your basement and be sure that you eliminate any problems before they get too bad. The Causes of Wet Basements and What Can Be Done About Them It is only natural for foundations to leak over time, as no foundation stays waterproof forever.

Houses move around over the years and that can cause various cracks and gaps that allow water to come in. Sooner or later, water does tend to find a way indoors and the basement is the first room to feel the effects! So what are the different methods of basement waterproofing? Well the first thing that should be done, is to go around your basement and try to find any gaps or cracks that may be letting water in. If you find any, fill them in with a waterproof compound.

You should be able to find something suitable in your local hardware store. You can also waterproof the walls by using a waterproof mix, again, bought from a hardware store. However, be aware that the waterproof mixture will not work on painted walls, so any paint needs to be removed before the mixture is applied. Overall, it all depends upon how bad the leak actually is and how much pressure it is applying to the wall to determine what protection it needs.

You may need to call a professional to help you if your best efforts do not come to anything. Generally, though, if done early enough, waterproofing your basement should be fairly easy and it is always better to do it every couple of years in order to ensure that you prevent any further problems from occurring. 

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Basement Ideas

Being banished to the basement doesn't always have to be punishment! Nowadays, owners of homes with a basement consider the space to be prime square footage. Everything from hobby rooms, play rooms, media centers, music rooms, poker parlors, exercise areas, office space and of course, it's original purpose, storage space, is finding new life in the space down below." The definition of a basement is an area that is either fully or partially below ground level. This is not to be confused with the crawl space of a house, since another part of the definition is that a person should be able to stand upright in the area.

 The amount of square footage in the basement is generally equivalent to that on the ground floor. In most homes, it's like having another entire level of living space, which can add up to quite a bit! The options for utilizing that amount of space really are limited only by the imagination since the space usually will have electricity and plumbing.

 The basement can be partitioned off into different rooms or it can be one huge open space. If this part of your home is finished" then consider yourself lucky. If not, or if the space is on the remodeling To Do list, there are issues to consider before proceeding with the project. First, it's important to identify trouble" spots such as lowered ceilings, enclosed boiler rooms, and ductwork.

Second, the space must not leak. Uncontrolled moisture will cause a number of dangerous and damaging problems including the growth of mold. Once the identification and remediation of basement problem areas is finished, the next step is determining a layout for the space.

The task can be overwhelming, and a good way to begin is by determining the activities that'll likely take place in the space. Looking at pictures or at what others have done always helps jump-start the imagination. Keep in mind that the basement will have little or no natural light so consider this when planning the layout. Slowly but surely this space will spring to life and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Next time you think it's no big deal, remember that over time, excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to the onset of eye conditions including retina damage and even cataracts. So do your eyes a favor eat your carrots and be sure to carry your sunglasses with you at all times!

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Estimating the Cost of Building a Basement

There are many things to think about before building a basement. One of the most important thing is the cost to build it. Here are a few tips to help you estimate your construction costs.

Excavation

The first thing you need to think about is the cost to excavate the soil. The harder the soil is to excavate, the more expensive it will be. Of course, the depth of the excavation also affects the cost. The deeper the digging the higher the price.

Concrete

The size and shape of your basement will greatly affect your budget for building a basement because they will determine how much concrete you will need for your project. The more complex your perimeter structure is, the more you are going to spend. You will also spend more for deep basements because they will n need higher and thicker walls. You should also include your basement foundation in calculating your building cost.

How to Build Basement Stairs on a Budget

Reinforcement

Reinforcing your basement walls is very important. This will allow your basement to easily support the load on top of it. Reinforcing the walls will also strengthen it from the constant pressure it receives from the soil around it.

Backfilling

It is highly recommended that you backfill the perimeter of your basement and its bottom. Backfilling will secure your basement from absorbing water or moisture. Since concrete easily absorbs water, backfilling the exterior of your basement will prevent this.

Drain Tile

Installing a Drain Tile to the foundation of your basement should not be forgotten. The Drain Tile will keep you r basement dry by diverting ground water away from it. Other things to consider when building a basement are labor costs, equipment rentals, finishing and of course your building permit.

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How to Build a Basement

Even if you're not interested in learning how to build a basement yourself, the knowledge can still come in handy when it comes time to deal with contractors. A basement serves as the foundation for your home, so it is crucial that the job be down correctly.

How To Build A Basement That Lasts

A basement can provide plenty of extra space at only an incremental cost over a traditional foundation or slab. On an appropriately sloped lot, a basement can even have full-sized windows and doors on one or more sides. Although you may not want to tackle the entire job yourself, the following overview will help you get started:


Check first.

You'll need to contact your local building inspector to find out what permits and inspections are required to build a basement in your area. You may also need to consult an engineer to find out if the water table is low enough to allow for this type of construction. Although it is possible to build a basement in a high water table area, the costs will be significantly higher.


Basement types.

Although a vast majority of basements are built with concrete, there are a number of methods for creating a basement. Concrete block, poured concrete and pre-cast basement panels are the most common methods for basement construction.


Blockhead.

Concrete block walls are built using pre-cast blocks that resemble oversized bricks. Although concrete block construction is least expensive, it is the most prone to future leaking due to the numerous joints and seams.


Solid construction.

Poured concrete basements are constructed using forms, which are then filled with solid concrete. A poured concrete basement has superior water and fire resistance, but cost significantly more than concrete block construction.


A modular approach.

Pre-cast basement panels are poured from concrete, transported to the site and lifted into place by crane. Pre-cast basement panels are built with insulation, wiring channels and concrete studs already in place, making basement finishing simple and cost effective. Although pre-cast panels are the most expensive building method, they have the best insulation and can be installed in just a few days.


A hole in the ground.

Once you've decided on a basement type, you'll need to excavate the area where you'll be building. Earthmoving equipment can make short work of this job, but be sure the hole is deep enough to account for the footing, foundation and wall height of the basement you've designed.


Starting firm.

Regardless of the type of basement you'll be building, you'll need to have a floor slab poured. This slab should be thick enough to withstand the weight of the walls and the finished house and should rest on a well-drained bed of gravel or crushed stone. For a concrete block basement, be sure to include reinforcement bar around the perimeter of the foundation to give the block an anchor point.


Water hazard.

The area around your basement will have to be treated and graded to direct ground water away from the walls. Typically, this involves perforated plastic pipe and gravel trenches to direct ground water and runoff away from the basement.


Topping it off.

Once the walls of your basement are in place, they'll need to be covered with a system that will allow your home's walls to be securely attached. For wood-frame homes, this means a sill-masonry homes will require metal ties to anchor bricks. The top of your basement walls should also have a sill for the first floor joists to rest on.

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