Is It Better To Waterproof Basement From Inside Or Outside?

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    It is much more effective to waterproof a basement from the outside using exterior waterproofing measures, such as installing drain tiles, excavating your soil, and installing and cleaning gutters.

    Waterproofing a basement from the inside is much less effective than waterproofing it from the outside.

    The phrase "interior waterproofing" is a bit of a misnomer because any steps taken inside the basement are typically taken to lessen the damage caused by water that has already penetrated the foundation.

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    It is best to stop water where it originates, which means that exterior waterproofing should be used whenever possible to prevent water from ever reaching the concrete foundation. Nevertheless, interior waterproofing is still an important step that should be taken, as it is one of the most effective.

    There are a lot of things to think about if you are trying to decide whether or not you should do the waterproofing of your basement inside or outside.

    When it rains a lot or there's a particularly strange storm, I often find that some people's basements have small leaks that only happen occasionally.

    These individuals have informed me that it may take a very long time before the water begins to seep into the basement, and even after the storm has passed, the water may continue to seep in for a while longer.

    Then I have conversations with people who tell me that they notice water entering their basements within a few minutes of almost any rainfall or snowmelt.

    These two scenarios typically represent two distinct types of issues, and they can be one way to determine whether you should prioritize waterproofing the inside or the outside of your building.

    There are two different kinds of water that might make their way into your basement: surface water like that which comes from rain or snow that melts, and groundwater which gathers underneath.

    If you have a problem with surface water, you will notice that the walls of your basement are wet starting around the grade, which is the level of dirt that is outside your home.

    Rain and snow will naturally run toward the house if the driveway, patio, sidewalk, or even underwater soil leading up to the house has a slope that is steeper than the slope leading up to the house.

    They can cause the original seal that was applied to your basement walls to wear down, which can lead to dampness and cracks.

    It's possible that you've addressed each and every one of these issues, but you're still dealing with persistently damp basement walls, paint that's flaking off, mould, and a musty odour, etc....

    This indicates that the seal to the foundation on the exterior is no longer functioning properly and that water is entering your walls as a result.

    In this scenario, waterproofing your basement from the outside will prevent water from entering your foundation, thereby preserving it and preventing any further damage.

    It is possible to install an internal system, which will provide you with a dry space; however, the condition will not be resolved.

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    If you are experiencing the other scenario, in which water only enters the basement along the floor at the base of the wall after prolonged weather.

    Your walls are mostly, if not entirely, dry, then you are dealing with groundwater build-up under your foundation that has nowhere else to go but through the seams where the basement floor meets the walls. If this is the case, then you are experiencing groundwater build-up under your foundation.

    In such a scenario, an interior basement waterproofing system will drain the water away from your home, catching the water before it can accumulate in the basement.

    This type of system is frequently referred to as a hydrostatic relief system because it relieves the pressure that causes water to enter a building through seams in the floor and walls.

    In this particular scenario, waterproofing the exterior will not prevent the water from collecting under your floor, and you will continue to experience seepage even under those weighty conditions.

    What's the difference between waterproofing the interior of a basement and the exterior? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this?

    Suppose you ask a different basement waterproofing contractor or industry professional. In that case, you are likely to receive a different response when you inquire about which method is the best and why you should use it.

    Although I have read quite a few articles on the topic of interior versus exterior waterproofing, the one that has stuck with me the most is this piece written by Integrity Waterproofing, which is based in Lakewood.

    It appears that they take an approach to basement waterproofing that is fairly well-rounded.

    Inside Vs. Outside Waterproofing For Your Home’s Basement

    What Are The Best Basement Waterproofing Products

    It is to your advantage to address such water problems as soon as possible; however, the methods of waterproofing require the expertise of a professional waterproofing contractor.

    If you have leaks in your home's foundation or basement, the problem is only going to get worse over time.

    What follows is an overview of the differences between waterproofing the inside and the outside, as well as the processes involved.

    Waterproofing the interior of a building is necessary because the area where water is leaking can't be reached from the outside, most likely due to space constraints.

    The presence of water in your basement does not necessarily indicate that there is a leak in the foundation.

    However, it could be due to a problem known as hydrostatic pressure, which occurs when the groundwater level beneath the concrete rises and falls, causing water to seep through the basement slab.

    There are some circumstances in which exterior excavation cannot be used to address the problem.

    In situations like these, RCC Waterproofing uses an internal water control system that consists of an air-gap drainage membrane to direct the flow of water to a network of drainage tiles that have been installed below the floor of the basement.

    The following steps make up the process of constructing an internal drainage system:

    • For the areas where the system must be installed, the floor is cracked about six to ten inches away from the masonry of the foundation.
    • Following the removal of the concrete, a trench is constructed to accommodate the 3-inch-diameter perforated weeping tile.
    • After being laid in the ground, weeping tile is connected to a discharge, such as a sump pump or a floor drain, to collect water.
    • Adhesive is used to connect a sheet of drainage membrane with dimples to the newly exposed inner wall once the system has been installed.
    • Clear gravel, approximately three-quarters of an inch thick, is put over the weeping tile to improve drainage.
    • Once the membrane and gravel have been set, the system will drain any water, whether it is above or below grade.
    • A layer of concrete is then poured on top of the exposed trench, bringing the floor back up to its original height.

    The process of waterproofing the exterior of a building is distinct from that of the interior, and it is successful because it prevents the deterioration of the foundation walls that would otherwise take place. It is recommended to waterproof your basement from the outside because this will address the water problem directly at the source. The following steps make up the process of waterproofing the exterior:

    • In order to effectively waterproof the façade, excavation must be performed all the way around the building's perimeter. Your home's elevation will dictate the maximum allowable excavation depth. Digging typically goes between 4 and 8 feet deep and 2 and a half feet wide.
    • The speed shoring will be put in place after the hole has been dug out to safeguard the workers and prevent the surrounding ground from collapsing into the freshly created space.
    • The foundation will be reached as the excavation progresses. Next, a new 4-inch-diameter weeping tile with a filter cloth will replace the old ones.
    • The walls of the foundation are then cleaned and inspected for structural faults and gaps. Cracks are chiselled out and filled with non-shrink hydraulic cement, which expands to fill the void left behind by the removal of damaged material.
    • A rubber membrane, the main component in your foundation's waterproofing system, is then applied with a trowel. This product's elongation allows it to stretch, so it may support more settlement in the foundation without compromising its integrity.
    • Next, a dimpled drainage membrane sheet is applied, and a termination bar is secured to the very top. In addition to its function as a drainage membrane, this can also be used as a protective board.
    • In order to ensure the best possible drainage, clear gravel, measuring three quarters of an inch, is put over the weeping tile after the waterproofing and membrane have been installed.
    • A window well is required if your home has any windows that are below grade. In addition, 3/4 clear stone will be used to produce drainage in the window well, and a 4-inch weeping tile will be laid vertically down from the inside of the window well to the footings.
    • After that, local soil is used to infill the hole, which is subsequently compacted to restore the original grade. Upon completion of this system's installation, your foundation will be fully waterproofed, and you will no longer have to deal with the hassle of water seeping into your basement.

    The foundation of a building and the basement both need to be waterproofed for the job to be done properly. This requires the expertise of professional waterproofing contractors with a good reputation.

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    Interior Basement Waterproofing

    Oftentimes, interior basement waterproofing systems are installed as remedial solutions to clean up and address leaks and flooding that have already occurred.

    This is done in order to prevent further damage from occurring. In most cases, a trench will be dug inside of your basement, running parallel to the region that was damaged.

    After that, a drainage system, which is typically a sump pump, will be installed to reroute the water away from your house in an effort to prevent further damage.

    After that, the trench is covered up and secured. Your basement will be dried out completely by this process, which will also prevent any further water damage.

    In most cases, the cost of waterproofing the interior of your home is significantly lower when compared to the cost of using an external waterproofing system.

    This type of waterproofing is typically utilized after water has already made its way into the basement.

    Although interior waterproofing of basements is commonly referred to as waterproofing, this type of waterproofing is actually water management and not waterproof.

    But for the sake of being consistent with what others in the industry call it, we will continue to refer to the process of managing water inside a basement as "waterproofing" inside a basement.

    When you have a basement built inside your home, the construction workers will let the water pressure from the outside of the wall into your basement.

    The installation of a vapour barrier as part of an interior basement waterproofing system is typically required.

    This barrier separates the air space in your basement from the basement wall and the moisture that penetrates the basement wall.

    Interior waterproofers will also dig a trench around the interior walls of your basement and will lay down a drainage system that channels the water to the sump pump, which will pump the water outside and away from your house.

    This is all part of the process of waterproofing the interior of your home.

    In most cases, a dehumidifier will also be included as part of the interior basement waterproofing system.

    Pros:

    • The cost of waterproofing the interior of a basement is typically much lower than the cost of waterproofing the exterior.
    • Because there is not enough space between the houses next door to each other, there are some instances in which waterproofing the interior of the home is the only option.
    • Customers have said that it works for them in their particular circumstances.

    Cons: 

    • It is more of a problem-management strategy than a problem-solving strategy.

    Exterior Basement Waterproofing

    When compared to interior waterproofing, installing an exterior basement waterproofing system typically involves a more labour-intensive, time-consuming, and invasive process.

    In this method of waterproofing, the foundation walls of your home will be exposed through the excavation of the soils that surround it by trained professionals.

    After that, they will fix or seal any small cracks or potential problems that have been found.

    The next step is for them to install a waterproofing membrane around the foundation of your house.

    This membrane will ensure that water will never enter your basement in the first place.

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    Your foundation will be totally isolated from the soils in its surrounding environment.

    The cost of waterproofing the exterior of a basement is typically higher than the cost of interior options.

    However, the peace of mind that comes from having a basement that is completely dry is virtually indescribable and cannot be valued in terms of monetary compensation.

    Contractors who specialize in exterior waterproofing will dig around your house's foundation until they reach the footings, repair any cracks that they find, waterproof the exterior wall using either a spray-on application or a membrane, and install a drainage system to direct water away from your home.

    The water doesn't even enter your basement. The installation of a sump pump and a dehumidifier may also be included in waterproofing services for the exterior.

    Pros:

    • There is never any risk of water getting into your basement because of the wall.

    Cons:

    • It is not cheap.
    • Due to the close proximity of the buildings that surround the area, it is sometimes impossible to do so.

    Prevention

    • Installation of gutters and redirection of water runoff away from the foundation are both required.
    • Routine examinations of the base of the structure
    • Sump pump maintenance
    • Dehumidifier usage
    • Adjustment of the airflow

    When your basement is properly waterproofed, insects will not be able to enter, which is a great benefit. Sealing foundation cracks to prevent water damage also prevents pests from entering the building through those cracks.

    A crack in the foundation is a doorway for pests to enter the building.

    8 Signs That You Need Basement Waterproofing

    How Long Is Waterproofing Warranty

    As a home owner, there are few things that should cause you more concern than water seepage.

    The structural damage that water can cause is significant, the health concerns associated with mold are pressing, and the possibility that your home will sustain additional damage is of the utmost importance.

    Suppose water manages to find its way into your house. In that case, the damage it causes will almost certainly require you to replace the insulation, the drywall, and possibly even the framing, depending on the severity of the situation.

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    Mold is difficult to eliminate and very expensive, both in terms of the health problems it can cause and the amount of money you will spend trying to eliminate the source of the mold.

    Immediately get in touch with a qualified waterproofing professional if you find any of the following eight warning signs in your own home:

    • There is standing water in the cellar.
    • Stains on the floor or walls caused by water
    • Leaks that originate from the walls or the floor
    • Condensation on the windows and doors of the basement
    • Swelling or warped doors
    • The musty odor that won't go away, despite our best efforts.
    • Visual evidence of the presence of mold or mildew
    • The floor or the walls are showing signs of cracking.

    Your home's foundation may have been damaged if a water leak has been going undetected for an extended period of time or if moisture problems have not been appropriately addressed. In either case, the damage must be repaired.

    Repairs to the foundation are the responsibility of structural engineers and are a more involved process than the waterproofing process itself.

    In the event that you find cracks, leaks, or bowing in the walls of your basement, it is most certainly time to get in touch with a foundation repair professional.

    You decided to go with a contractor and they boast an impressive list of credentials.

    Their customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, they have an impressive track record in the industry, and they offer a remedy that is tailored to your unique problem.

    Great! You're getting very close now!

    It is essential to educate yourself not only on the solutions but also on the causes of the water problem in your basement, so it is important to know and understand the available options for removing the water from your basement.

    You are able to take precautions to ensure that this occurrence never occurs again, and you are aware of the warning signs in the event that they ever reappear.

    Naturally, the various causes of water seepage call for a variety of approaches to their resolution.

    One size does not fit all.

    The following is a list of potential solutions, which may or may not be applicable depending on the findings of your contractor (keep in mind that it may be a combination of solutions):

    Understanding Waterproofing Solutions

    It is equally as important to have a solid understanding of the resolution process as it is to have a solid understanding of the factors that led to the water intrusion in the first place.

    Even the interior cleanup will almost certainly involve some degree of demolition work.

    The following is a rundown of what to anticipate from an interior waterproofing system:

    • A trench will be dug by the crew all the way around the interior of your basement walls.
    • After that, they will install a sump pump in the majority of cases and begin putting the drain system in place in the trench.
    • The following step will involve the crew repouring concrete as required and applying chemical sealants if the circumstances warrant it.

    The waterproofing of the exterior is quite extensive. Here is what you should anticipate:

    • Your foundation will have any and all soil removed from it, typically to a depth of seven or eight feet.
    • A trench will be dug around the perimeter of the foundation, and the space will be subsequently stuffed with gravel and drainage material.
    • The crew may also apply chemical sealants and sheets of waterproofing material to the exterior foundation walls of your home. This will depend on the particular problem that your home is experiencing.

    Both types of waterproofing work may include additional tasks, such as rerouting water away from your house using your yard or working on your gutters to achieve the same goal.

    Conclusion

    Inside basement waterproofing is substantially less effective than exterior basement waterproofing.

    Waterproofing the inside remains a crucial step because it is one of the most efficient. MJS Construction Group offers a wide variety of duplex construction plans to choose from.

    Your basement walls will be moist from the grade down if you have a surface water problem. This is a sign that the outside seal to the foundation has broken down.

    The best way to keep water out of your basement in this case is to waterproof the exterior.

    Because water can't enter a building from the outside, waterproofing the inside is essential.

    It's possible that there isn't a leak in the foundation even if there is water in your basement.

    However, water seeping through the slab could be due to hydrostatic pressure.

    Waterproofing the interior of a structure is done in a different way from the exterior.

    The standard depth for a hole is 4 feet, and the average width is 2 and a half feet. Weeping tile is covered with clear gravel of about three-quarters of an inch in depth to enhance drainage.

    Waterproofing a building properly requires starting with the foundation and continuing into the basement. Reputable waterproofing contractors' services are required for this.

    Compared to the expense of installing an external waterproofing system, this option usually comes out on top.

    Waterproofing specialists will dig a trench around the inside of your basement's walls and instal a drainage system that leads water to the sump pump, which then discharges it onto the exterior.

    The inside basement waterproofing system will typically also incorporate a dehumidifier.

    There are eight symptoms that it could be time to waterproof your basement if you see water collecting there.

    Costing up to $10,000, waterproofing a basement entails a process that calls for routine inspections of the foundation.

    Water seepage can be caused by a number of factors, each of which requires a unique strategy to fix.

    No one solution will work for everyone, therefore, it's crucial to be well-versed in the range of possibilities.

    It's crucial to comprehend not just the causes of the issue but also the steps required to fix it.

    There is a lot of work put into waterproofing the exterior of your house.

    Soil up to about seven or eight feet deep will be excavated from around your foundation. Waterproofing the outside foundation walls may also involve the use of chemical sealants and sheets of waterproofing material.

    Content Summary

    • It is much more effective to waterproof a basement from the outside using exterior waterproofing measures, such as installing drain tiles, excavating your soil, and installing and cleaning gutters.
    • Waterproofing a basement from the inside is much less effective than waterproofing it from the outside.
    • If this is the case, then you are experiencing groundwater build-up under your foundation.
    • In such a scenario, an interior basement waterproofing system will drain the water away from your home, catching the water before it can accumulate in the basement.
    • What's the difference between waterproofing the interior of a basement and the exterior?
    • A rubber membrane, the main component in your foundation's waterproofing system, is then applied with a trowel.
    • A window well is required if your home has any windows that are below grade.
    • The foundation of a building and the basement both need to be waterproofed for the job to be done properly.
    • This is all part of the process of waterproofing the interior of your home.
    • The next step is for them to install a waterproofing membrane around the foundation of your house.
    • Sealing foundation cracks to prevent water damage also prevents pests from entering the building through those cracks.
    • The structural damage that water can cause is significant, the health concerns associated with mold are pressing, and the possibility that your home will sustain additional damage is of the utmost importance.
    • Immediately get in touch with a qualified waterproofing professional if you find any of the following eight warning signs in your own home. There is standing water in the cellar.
    • You decided to go with a contractor and that boast an impressive list of credentials.
    • It is equally as important to have a solid understanding of the resolution process as it is to have a solid understanding of the factors that led to the water intrusion in the first place.
    • The following is a rundown of what to anticipate from an interior waterproofing system:A trench will be dug by the crew all the way around the interior of your basement walls.
    • The waterproofing of the exterior is quite extensive.
    • The crew may also apply chemical sealants and sheets of waterproofing material to the exterior foundation walls of your home.

    FAQs About Waterproofing

    In general, waterproofing companies will recommend waiting at least 7 days after pouring before applying a waterproof coating. This waiting period begins once the pouring has been completed. If the coating is applied too early, there is a possibility that escaping air bubbles and moisture will prevent the waterproof coating from bonding with the concrete. This can occur if the coating is applied too early.

    The quality of the workmanship is the single most important factor in the success or failure of waterproofing. The failure to properly install the waterproofing material would account for ninety percent of all failures. The effectiveness of the waterproofing membrane is entirely dependent on the surface that it is applied to or installed on. The constructors have a significant amount of responsibility here.

    The most common types of waterproofing are cementitious waterproofing, liquid waterproofing membrane, bituminous membrane, bituminous coating, and polyurethane liquid membrane.

    The effects of rain should be minimal once the concrete has been finished (between four and eight hours after it has been poured) and has set so that it is firm enough for people to walk on it.

    During the construction process, extensive waterproofing measures are typically applied to ensure that moisture levels are kept under control from the beginning of the project. It is also possible to waterproof a building after it has been constructed in order to solve problems that have already been encountered.

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