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There are so many things that go into new construction that you need to think about. How complex is the electrical going to be? Where will the pipes need to go for your plumbing? What kind of roof will you put on the building? In what places will you need new concrete? With so many questions about what it takes, you will likely need help along the way. Our blog is designed to inform you about all the latest things related to construction. No matter how big or small your project may be, you'll find the guidance you're looking for to make informed decisions.

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Keeping Water Out Of Your Basement And Protecting The Foundation

by Robert Larson

Water inside your basement or eroding the foundation walls of your home can be a significant concern. Exterior waterproofing is an excellent way to combat the effects of water in the house and protect the concrete foundation walls, but on older homes, it can be a lot of work.

Leaks and Cracks

Cracks in the foundation walls of your house can let water run into the basement, but many times the cracks are a result of water infiltration from the soil around the foundation. Over time water outside the concrete walls can erode the concrete walls if it is allowed to stand near the walls. You may need to consider a few different things, but exterior waterproofing is one of the first things to try.

Exterior Waterproofing

Exterior waterproofing is not challenging to do, but for older homes, the foundation is likely buried with soil. To put exterior waterproofing on the foundation walls, the soil around the house needs excavating, exposing the foundation walls to the footing at the base of the walls.

Once the soil is removed, the foundation walls are painted with a foundation sealer that will fill the concrete's pores and help seal the cracks that may be there. It is essential that the sealer extends above the surface of the soil about a foot, so water splashing against the house can't find a path in. If there is an excessive amount of water in the soil around the home, you may need to consider putting in drains as well as waterproofing the walls.

New Construction

New construction or housing should have exterior waterproofing added to the basement or foundation walls before the foundation is backfilled if the home is in an area where water damage can be a problem. 

Not every contractor seals the foundation on a new house, so if you are having a home built, ask about it early in the building process so the contractor can do it before adding the soil around the house.

Interior Waterproofing

You can apply interior waterproofing paint to the inside of the basement or foundation walls in a home that has water seeping through the walls. However, while it will keep the water out of the basement, it is still letting water infiltrate the concrete and damage it.

If you paint the inside of the basement with waterproofing paint as an additional measure, it can help combat the water issues. Still, exterior waterproofing locks the water out completely, so it is a better option for most homeowners.

For more information, contact an exterior waterproofing service.

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