Insuring the Waterproofing of a Concrete Basement

Basements are increasingly used for storage and are increasingly being used as spaces to develop leisure activities or as living spaces or additional work. To satisfy the requirements of a higher level of habitability and climatic comfort, it is imperative to waterproof the basement against moisture from the outside. In buildings without a basement, the exterior and interior walls are protected with bitumen paint or an SBR Bonding Agent against rising moisture by capillarity, by means of a horizontal waterproofing. On the exterior walls this waterproofing should be placed at 30 cm. above the ground.

Buildings whose basements have a lot of masonry should be provided with at least two horizontal waterproofing. On the inner walls the top layer can be suppressed. For waterproofing horizontally the walls must be used bituminous sheets or synthetic material. Depending on the type of waterproofing and the interior finish, a protective layer must be provided on the walls.

Humidity: moisture can cause mould and this in turn could lead to allergic reactions. It is highly recommended to always correct moisture problems through using substances like aluminium solar paint or SBR Primer.

Caution: moisture can damage the materials and, in more extreme cases, can endanger the structure of the house.

Ventilation: ventilation can also help mitigate the effects of humidity in homes.

Generally, the areas of a basement that are more exposed to damp and seepage are those that are underground, since the latter accumulates and maintains moisture attached to the exterior wall of the room. If your basement is not well waterproofed with bonding agents or reflective paint, there may be dampness and damage due to rain and bad weather.

Correctly waterproofing a basement will decrease the danger of damage produced by moisture or water. Homeowners will need to be conscious with regards to how they can maintain good levels of humidity in their basements.

Best 3 Steps to Success

• Prevent the ingress of water by diverting it away from the foundation: Install gutters and drain pipes so that they send all the rainwater and melted snow far enough away from the walls of the building.

• Arrange all cracks or holes: If leaks occur inside the basement, it is more likely that water and moisture are entering through cracks and small holes.

• Apply the bitumen paint, reflective paint or aluminium solar paint to the walls and floor: Once all the liquid residue has been meticulously diverted away from the foundation, and all cracks and holes have been fixed and no leakage is happening, a waterproofing sealant can be used as a concluding measure.