Basement waterproofing: Foundation repair is critical to a waterproof basement! Installing a sump pump, or a backup sump pump will keep your basement dry too!

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Basement waterproofing

Before you begin your basement remodeling project you'll want to make sure your basement does not leak! Any sign of moisture, dampness, or water is a sure sign you have a leak you'll want to repair before you begin to finish your basement.

If you live in an area with a rainy season, or seasonal snow melt in the spring, it's a good idea to do a careful inspection during the dampest time just to be sure.

How to tell if your basement is leaking

Before you being construction, take a good look around at the basement walls paying special attention to any cracks that may have been caused at the house settled onto its foundation. If you have cracks running vertically down your walls, that's usually ok unless you see signs of dampness such as any discoloring that may indicate moisture stains.

NOTE: If you have horizontal cracks running around your basement they may indicate a serious problem with the foundation! Be sure to have your basement inspected by someone who's qualified to determine if any foundation repair is necessary before you continue!

Signs of a basement leak

If you have discoloring in any of the cracks, they MUST be repaired whether you see water or not! You don't want to them to get worse a few years down the road and have to tear down a wall to repair them!

Another common problem with poured concrete basements are rod holes. These are holes made by the forms as the basement is poured. The contractor will seal them after removing the forms, but oftentimes they don't do an adequate job which is sure to create a repair for you later.

Basement waterproofing tip: Install a sump pump

Most basements in new construction have a sump pump installed. If yours doesn't, it's a good idea to do so. The sump pump will remove the water from beneath your home by pumping it away before it can seep through any cracks in the walls. If you do have a sump pump installed and it runs frequently, you may want to consider adding a backup. You'd hate to have your sump pump fail without your knowledge and wake up to a small lake in your basement!

Basement waterproofing: The simplest solution

Many times the simple solution will solve your problems. Take a look at the grade of your yard around your foundation. Make sure it slopes away from your home. Adding a few inches of topsoil to help slope the land away from your home will decrease the amount of water that seeps down the outside of your foundation in search of any little nook or cranny to pour into your basement.

Foundation repair

If you have any signs to indicate your basement needs waterproofing, you need to repair the foundation before you begin any construction. If you have minor cracks and dampness, but have never had any severe puddles or flooding, you may be able repair the cracks yourself.

See our sections on basement wall repair in the "Our Progress" of our site. There's one section on fixing cracks, and another on fixing rod holes. If you have severe leaking you may want to consult a contractor for the repair. If so, get multiple estimates from reputable companies before deciding. It helps to get a referral from someone you know who had their foundation repaired.