Basement Waterproofing Systems - What are Your Options?

It is incredibly easy for moisture to invade your home. Most people think that if they live in a relatively dry climate that they won't have to worry about things like basement waterproofing systems (or any waterproofing at all). What surprises these people is just how easy it is to flood a basement and case water damage from a water source inside the home. Even worse, the moisture level in most basements is higher than it is anywhere else in the house because the basement doesn't have the moisture relief methods that are available in the rest of the home. For those who are interested in learning about the different basement waterproofing systems available, here is a quick rundown of the systems that are available to you:

1.  Exterior Fountain Drains (also known as the "French Drain")
These are moisture relief methods that are usually installed in houses that are constructed in parts of the world that regularly see heavy rain showers and terrible weather patterns. This system involves a draining mechanism that is built on the outside wall of your home's foundation. It moves the water through an in-ground drainage system and moves the moisture away from your basement walls.

2. Tanking
Tanking is the most common form of external basement waterproofing. Tanking is the name for the process in which a bonding substance or membrane is applied to the outside walls of your basement. This should be done during your home's building process, especially if your basement is underground. 

3.  Outside Drainage System 
The outside drainage system is another type of external basement waterproofing. The outside drainage system refers to a process in which the basement floors are built at a slant toward the home's sump pump. A thin, plastic honeycomb membrane is installed in the walls and the floors of the basement to ensure that any moisture that enters your basement will be promptly removed.

4.  Interior basement waterproofing 
Interior basement waterproofing isn't technically a basement waterproofing system but it will help you keep the moisture from invading your basement and covering it in mildew and mold. Interior basement waterproofing involves spreading a coating all over the floors and walls of your basement. The coating acts as a sealant for the basement which makes it far more difficult for water and moisture to get in through your basement's floors and walls. 

Obviously if you want to be incredibly prepared, you should use both exterior and interior basement waterproofing systems. You will need to be very up front with your contractors and home builders as your home is being constructed and you will have to apply any interior basement waterproofing before you do any furnishing or decorating of your basement. Home building and fixing is expensive so you want to do everything you can to make sure that your home is as safe as you can. Basement waterproofing systems are all ways to keep the foundation of your home as safe as possible.