When you are planning to build a house with a basement, think beforehand how to protect it against water damage. Most cases (about 90%) of leaks and moisture in basements are a result of leaks in grade foundation walls. That happens because new build basement waterproofing measures haven’t been considered in advance.
If the foundation waterproofing has been done for the grade line only, topsoil and water-retaining mulch start covering the unprotected surface. There are some other flaws that can result in leaks, for example:
- The basement wall gets wet because of sloping grades.
- insufficient drainage
- downspout drains that have been incorrectly installed
- foundation sealant that has been incorrectly applied
- lack of sealant above the grade line
Steps of New Construction Basement Waterproofing
Everybody knows that if a basement retains damp and smells of mold, it is impossible to turn it into cozy and dry living space. If you intend to make a comfortable room in your new basement, consider it while investing in your new construction project. Plan the installation of the new foundation waterproofing in the basement to avoid the further problems with it.
Step 1. Exterior Waterproofing
- Waterproofing or Damp Proofing
- Sealing
- Cementitious
- Foundation Membrane
- Bentonite Clay
- Weeping Tiles
- Excavation
Exterior (or external) waterproofing is meant to fix the leaky basement
The technology implies fixing these problems from the outside. The foundation is exposed and the necessary waterproofing technique. The materials are applied for making the solid waterproofing system. It will disperse or redirect any water or moist from the foundation walls.
Waterproofing or Damp Proofing?
If you live in the extremely humid area where soil moisture can penetrate into your basement even if there is not much rain or flooding, damp proofing will be the best option. First, the dirt should be removed from the area around the foundation. It will allow for the application of the damp proofing coating. Waterproofing works well for blocking moisture and heavier water leaks, such as rainstorms, flooding, or water runoff. It is widely used for poured foundations and cinder blocks because it is always a challenge to protect these thick materials from the moisture. Houses in the areas that suffer from a high water table need waterproofing badly.
There is a great variety in local climatic conditions. You need to consider them to make the right choice of waterproofing methods. Even in the areas where the climate is drier and water tables are lower, basements are built with the foundation walls that are 10 feet tall to prevent water infiltration. If your area shows the high figures of annual rainfall and higher water tables or lack of frost in the soil, consider using the slab-on-grade foundation. However, you need to protect such a foundation as well because moisture will permanently infiltrate through this slab from the ground.
Sealing
A basement sealer is always recommended to prevent the damage from leaking in your house foundation and in your household items.
Cementitious Products
These products are widely used as waterproofing materials. They can be found at any household items store, and such materials are easy to deal with while mixing and applying. To cope with these procedures more effectively, use a brush with a long handle. You will also need acrylic additive. That is a white milky substance which is mixed with the cementitious product and provides better bonding and more durable coating.
Foundation Membrane
External waterproofing membranes are applied to the foundation wall after excavating it. If the situation with the excess water is rather disastrous, the technology recommends installing a perforated drain pipe at the bottom of the trench and surrounding it with the washed stone. That will help to diminish the water flow and leaks.
Bentonite waterproofing
Bentonite is a type of clay. It has some special characteristic features that are used for a waterproofing membrane. They help binding, thickening, cohesion, and sealing. The color of the material is grey. When you work with it, the material looks like fine powder which resembles flour or cement. Bentonite waterproofing is usually applied below grade. When installed, it is hydrated by the soil moisture. That creates a strong barrier which can absorb and expel such chemicals as acids and salts (in case of using sodium bentonite) as well as water.
Weeping tiles
Tiles are actually not tiles but plastic pipes. They are perforated with small holes to be able to absorb water which usually leaks into the walls creating damp.
All these external waterproofing methods (either weeping tiles or installation of a membrane, for instance) require extensive excavation around the house.
Step 2. Interior Waterproofing
- Foundation Coatings
- Silicate Sealers
- Basement Waterproofing Paint
- Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
- Epoxy Injection
Interior (or internal) basement waterproofing uses coatings
The method is effective when wetness is created by condensation. Normally, it is used when your home experiences minor dampness, though it is not quite efficient in case of large leaks. Concrete products for such waterproofing are the following ones:
Foundation Coatings
That is used as the most affordable and, actually, the best way to waterproof new foundation! A thick coat of concrete mix is applied to the interior walls. The premium foundation coating is a rubberized and cold-applied liquid for foundation waterproofing. It is a blend of rubber and some reinforcing fibers that resembles asphalt and provides a strong and flexible waterproof sealing.
Silicate Sealers are also known as densifiers of concrete
Penetrating into the concrete surface, they react chemically with other substances. It forms the solid barrier in the concrete pores made of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). This substance does not change the color or look of the concrete surface, though it increases its strength by up to 45%. That can reduce dusting and the water and moisture moving through the concrete pores enhancing the durability of the entire base.
Basement Waterproofing Paint
The paint is, in fact, an acrylic paint product applied for basement waterproofing because it creates a perfect vapor barrier. Such waterproof paint can prevent water penetration into your basement. However, the paint can lose its qualities even within six months after its application if the exterior part of the foundation has not been waterproofed in a reliable way.
Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
The vapor barrier is one of the easiest and most effective solutions for prevention of moisture in the crawl space. Good-quality insulation can help avoid some health problems and structural damage. Such a barrier is simple to install and it maintains the good quality of the air inside your home. The crawlspace vapor barrier is also used to block insect infestation, mold growth, and it can sufficiently reduce your energy bills.
Epoxy Injection
An epoxy injection is used to prevent cracks and to avoid leaking. Epoxy is even stronger than concrete. Such an injection is applied under pressure to fix cracks that are 0.05 mm and more. The method is not applied when there are many active cracks and water leaking is sufficient and uncontrolled.
Step 3. Choose other Foundation Waterproofing Services
- Interior Water Drainage: Wall Drainage, Sump Pump, French Drain;
- Install Gutters and Downspouts;
- B-Dry Basement Waterproofing.
Why Should I Waterproof New Basement
The new basement waterproofing process can be rather expensive and time-consuming. However, you need to find an effective method to withstand water that wells up from the floor or leaky foundation walls. In the long run, that will save you a lot of costs and effort.
New Construction Basement Waterproofing Cost
The entire process of new construction basement waterproofing involves planning and preparation, first of all. Then, you will deal with sealing of the foundation and wall waterproofing with cement or other material. You may also need to install a perimeter drain or sump pump, to divert the downspout runoff from your foundation, or even to repair cracks, if any, with an epoxy injection. All these jobs are rather costly and time-consuming.
Exterior Waterproofing cost
- Waterproofing or Damp Proofing –
- Sealing –
- Cementitious –
- Foundation Membrane –
- Bentonite Clay –
- Weeping Tiles –
- Excavation –
To waterproof a standard 1500 square foot foundation in in new building, it will cost an average of $0,000-$00,000.
How much does Interior Waterproofing cost?
- Foundation Coatings –
- Silicate Sealers –
- Basement Waterproofing Paint –
- Crawl Space Vapor Barrier –
- Epoxy Injection –
French Drain cost
An interior French drain costs $00 to $00 per linear foot or $0,000 to $00,000 on average. An exterior French drain is easier and cheaper to install at $00 to $00 per linear foot or $0,000 to $0,000.
New basement waterproofing average cost
The average cost to waterproof a basement is $0,000 to $0,000, or between $0 and $0 per square foot for materials and labor.
New Basement Waterproofing Contractors
There are many reasons why you should hire Tornado Plumbers as a professional and reliable contractor. Tornado Plumbing & Drains is an expert waterproofing company doing jobs for residential and commercial new construction. Here are at least three persuasive reasons to call us:
- Experience: It is sure to be needed for coating and cementing of your home foundation. Since the task is not so easy, achieving long-lasting and safety-protective results take years of practice and expertise. Waterproofing is always an essential investment, so it is vitally important to hire a well-qualified and experienced waterproofing company.
- Efficiency: Even if your problem is rather severe, the experts from Tornado Plumbing & Drains always understand that you need to improve the situation as quickly as possible to be able to get back to your daily routine.
- Licensing: Tornado Plumbing & Drains can guarantee the best quality of services because we are insured and licensed, qualified and experienced. It means that we will never hold you liable for any unpredictable on-the-job accidents.
– phone number: (647) 784-8448
– address: 45 Chauncey Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 2Z2
– E-mail: info@tornado-plumbing.com
– link to contact form: https://tornado-plumbing.com/free-quote
FAQ of new basement waterproofing
How much does a new basement waterproofing cost?
The average cost of basement waterproofing per square foot is between $0 and $0. It means that the total cost of work including materials and labor may range from $0,000 to $0,000.
How to choose contractors?
- Find contractors on google or dig into internet directories
- Check their portfolio
- Proof of a valid license
- Check reviews
- Get free quotes
- Get an extensive warranty
How to get your help?
- Call us: (647) 784-8448 or send an email: info@tornado-plumbing.com
- Get Free Waterproofing Survey.
Can I fix/repair/do it by myself?
Sure, you can do a small amount of work yourself if the affected area is not rather problematic. However, we are a full-service contractor that is experienced in waterproofing jobs and can offer some solutions to choose from. Unlike one-size-fits-all systems, we can provide you with good-quality interior and exterior work. Our basement advisors can recommend you the most time-saving and economical variants.
Can you waterproof new basement?
Yes, of course. And we are proud of our work quality experienced by thousands of households every year. We always strive to make our customers feel happy and satisfied.
Can you waterproof new basement from inside?
We are ready to do it any time because if you order the interior basement waterproofing, it is a good indicator for us that you really want to keep your area dry and safe. Such work is not invasive and it can be performed without any dramatic exterior excavations.
Can you waterproof new basement from outside?
Yes, we can do it! If you haven’t finished and painted your new basement yet, we can offer our waterproofing products that will help you save your time and money as well as our line of quick and easy waterproofing jobs to make your basement the driest and most comfortable place to live in.
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