Indoor vs. Outdoor Waterproofing: Which is Best?

Indoor vs. Outdoor Waterproofing

There are many methods that you can employ to keep your basement free of moisture. The sooner you do so, the safer and more comfortable your home will be. Waterproofing your home is a move that will also enhance the livability and durability of your property. Finally, there is also the fact that improving your home will enhance its resale value.

When is Inside Waterproofing Needed?

Inside waterproofing is most often necessary at times when groundwater seeps into this area. It will first saturate the porous soil that surrounds your home. From there it will soak into areas such as sand, dirt, and nearby rocks. It can also seep into your home through your basement floor. Cracks in foundation walls are also very vulnerable.

One of the most common forms of inside waterproofing involves the shoring up of your basement foundation walls. This can be done by filling in these cracks with hydraulic cement. This a special form of cement that is mixed with water. Once prepared, it can be forced into each of the cracks by hand. You can also do the job with a putty knife.

The walls of your basement may require sealing. If this is needed, you can do so by using any number of commonly available masonry waterproofing products. For example, two coats of waterproofing can act as an effective barrier against minute amounts of water. If the problem persists, more coats may be needed to shore up your basement walls.

When is Outdoor Waterproofing Necessary?

There are times when inside waterproofing is either too costly or too impractical to be considered. In cases like these, waterproofing from the outside may be your best or only solution. The simplest method you can adopt is to grade your yard so that water flows away from your foundation walls and basement.

If other measures prove to be inapplicable, you can apply a French drain. This is a specially shaped trench in the floor of your basement. Its purpose is to provide a safe channel for water to flow directly into a nearby sump basin. Once it reaches this destination, the water will be ejected into an area that is well away from your home.

You may also wish to install, renovate, or replace the gutters in your home. This will keep excess water from getting into your basement from outside. This will be especially needed if you live in a property that is built on uneven ground. But if your home is surrounded by concrete hardscaping, you probably won’t need gutters in the first place.

It may be cost effective for you to seal your basement foundation walls by making use of a liquid synthetic membrane. These will usually come in the form of solid sheets of bentonite. They also can be ordered as a specially designed synthetic sheet membrane. A coating can be applied to the outside of your basement walls.

When Do You Need to Do Both?

Deciding whether to employ inside waterproofing or outdoor waterproofing for your home can sometimes be a tricky issue. There are a number of factors that need to be considered before you come to your final choice. One of them will be whether or not you have a basement that is extremely prone to flooding. The quality of pipes in your home will also be a factor.

For example, it should be understood that many types of basement moisture come from outside of the home. These can be rainwater, snow, sleet, floodwater, and excess runoff from pipes that may have burst outside. As a result, your home may require both inside and outside waterproofing. Your basement will usually be the main center of activity.

It is usually true that basement moisture that comes exclusively from the inside will not require any outside waterproofing. This is the common case with moisture that comes courtesy of condensation or leaky pipes. The project that you undertake in such a situation will be a more a matter of moisture maintenance than a waterproofing job.

However, there will be several key aspects to the job that will require your full attention. These can include the following:

• Ensuring the equality of water and air temperatures in order to forestall condensation
• Installing and maintaining dehumidifiers
• Fixing or replacing burst or leaky pipes
• Repairing devices such as your washing machine and HVAC system

Contact Us to Waterproof Your Home

When it comes to professional and courteous service, no one does it like Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC. We are here to help you solve all of your waterproofing and flood control issues. Our services are available in Raleigh, Durham, Southern Pines, and all surrounding areas. Call us today to get your issue speedily resolved.