Exterior Basement Waterproofing

Waterproofing Concrete Block Walls From the Outside

Waterproofing Concrete Block Walls From the Outside: A Guide to Protecting Your Hydrostatic pressure can wreak havoc on your home, especially if your walls aren’t properly waterproofed. One area that is particularly vulnerable to water damage is concrete block walls.

Why Waterproof Concrete Block Walls?

Water damage is one of the biggest threats to your home’s foundation. When water seeps into your walls, it can cause a host of problems, including:

– Cracks in the walls and basement floor

– Mold growth

– Structural damage

– Decreased home value

Waterproofing concrete block walls from the outside is important because it helps prevent these problems from occurring.

Foundation Sealer Exterior

Exterior foundation waterproofing is important because it helps prevent these problems from occurring. By creating a barrier that prevents water from seeping into your foundation, you can protect your home and your investment.  The foundation sealer used is very thick and bonds to the exterior wall with a waterproof seal. This repels water even when under extremely high pressure.  This is usually an alternative method to interior waterproofing.Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Benefits of Exterior Foundation Waterproofing

1. Protecting your home from water damage: As we mentioned earlier, water can cause a lot of damage to your home’s foundation. Exterior foundation waterproofing helps prevent this damage, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.
2. Improving indoor air quality: When water penetrates your foundation, it can cause mold growth. Mold can have a negative impact on indoor air quality, which can be harmful to your health. By preventing water from entering your foundation, you can reduce the risk of mold growth and improve your indoor air quality.
3. Increasing home value: If you ever decide to sell your home, exterior foundation waterproofing can increase its value. Homebuyers are often willing to pay more for a home that has been properly waterproofed because they know it’s less likely to have water damage.
4. Saving money on energy bills: When water seeps into your foundation, it can cause your home to become damp and cold. This can make your heating system work harder to keep your home warm, which can increase your energy bills. By preventing water from entering your foundation, you can reduce the amount of energy your home uses to stay warm and dry.

How is Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Done?

Exterior waterproofing is typically done in the following steps:

1. Excavation: The soil around your foundation is excavated to expose the basement walls and footing.
2. Cleaning: The walls and footer are cleaned to remove any debris or dirt prior to the application of waterproofing materials.
3. Repairs: Any cracks or damage to the poured concrete are repaired with hydraulic cement. A primer must be applied before the wall can accept waterproofing material. Any needed foundation repairs should be done at this time.

A waterproof membrane or coating is applied to the foundation walls to create a barrier that prevents direct water from creating further damage.

5. Backfill: The excavated soil is replaced and compacted.
6. Drainage: A drainage system is installed to divert water away from your home’s foundation.
7. Restoration: Any landscaping or hardscaping that was removed during the excavation process is restored.

When basement waterproofing with this method, finished basement drywall and fixtures can remained undisturbed.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing: Which Homes are Good Candidates?

1. Age of the Home

Older homes are more likely to have issues with water intrusion in the basement. This is because the materials used to build older homes, such as brick and stone, are more porous than modern materials. Additionally, older homes may not have been built with waterproofing in mind. If your home is older and you’ve experienced water intrusion in the basement, basement waterproofing from the outside may be a good option.

2. Water Table

The water table is the level at which the ground is saturated with water. If your home is located in an area with a high water table, you may be more prone to basement water intrusion. This is because the water pressure around your foundation can increase, causing water to seep through cracks and gaps. If your home is located in an area with a high water table, basement waterproofing from the outside may be a good option to prevent water from entering your basement.

3. Signs of Water Intrusion

If you’ve already experienced water intrusion in your basement, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Water intrusion can cause a host of problems, including mold growth, structural damage, and decreased home value. If you’ve noticed signs of water intrusion in your basement, such as damp walls or a musty smell, basement waterproofing from the outside may be a good option to prevent further water damage.

Contact Basement Waterproofing Scientists today to ensure the longevity and durability of your basement and home.