DIY Basement Waterproofing
DIY Basement Waterproofing – Foil Foils Mold
The first thing you’ll want to know when you waterproof your basement is whether the moisture is coming from inside or outside the basement. This may sound a trifle hard to do, but actually all you need is foil and tape. Simply tape the foil to the wall of your basement and wait. If moisture accumulates on the room side of the basement then you are one of the lucky few and you can waterproof your basement by simply adding a humidifier. On the other hand, if the moisture accumulates on the wall side of the foil, you are in for a wild time, so let’s get ready to waterproof that basement!
DIY Basement Waterproofing – Hydraulics
Another great tip to waterproof your basement is to check to see if you have water coming in where the floor meets the wall. You’ll want to very thoroughly check this perimeter and find any places where moisture is accumulating when you waterproof your basement. Once you find and mark off your leaky spots, use some hydraulic cement to close up the holes and your basement is one step closer to being waterproof!
DIY Basement Waterproofing – Don’t Stop Now!
Another great tip when to waterproof your basement is not to stop just because you’ve closed up the immediate leaks. That doesn’t mean you won’t have new leaks and it’s best to be pre-emptive. Waterproofing masonry paint is what you need. You should use it to cover up all of your walls and this will do wonders to make sure that your basement is not only waterproof now, but will be five years from now. Don’t be afraid to put a second coat on. This isn’t required, but if you have an extra leaky basement, it can’t hurt.
DIY Basement Waterproofing – Acidic
If you notice white build up on the walls of your basement when you waterproof it, don’t panic, this is a naturally occurring phenomenon and a great indicator that you have leakage. This is salt that comes with the water that is doing the seeping. The best way to remove this when you waterproof your basement is the use of muriatic acid. Simply use a good solid brush and apply liberally to the deposits. Remember, always use gloves and safety goggles when working with muriatic acid. It’s also a good idea to have a fan blowing to better ventilate, as you don’t want to inhale a whole lot of this stuff when you waterproof your basement.
