How to Waterproof House Foundations From the Outside
by Admin
Posted on 20-02-2025 01:00 PM
There are a variety of reasons to waterproof house foundations from the outside. If you have a finished basement you want to protect from water intrusion, but you don’t want to demo, then you may want to consider exterior waterproofing. If you are purchasing an old home with fieldstone foundation or cinderblock you may need to waterproof your foundation from the outside. There is no shortage of reasons that a person would look to their exterior for basement waterproofing, so today we’re going to explain exactly how you do that.
Among the worst things that can happen to a residential or commercial building, one is a foundation problem. Foundations are the most important parts of a building, literally what the house is built on and what keeps the building standing. Having to fix a foundation issue means going through a very expensive and overwhelming intervention. In most cases, water is the most dangerous source of foundations problems. There are two main reasons behind that: wet foundation soil can lose strength and mould issues can arise, making underground interior spaces unpleasant for the residents. Foundations are made of reinforced concrete, which is not waterproof and also it comes with cracks.
Step 1: Excavate the Soil Around the Perimeter of your Foundation
An exterior drain tile system goes along the outside perimeter of the structure at the footing level. It collects and channels excess moisture in the soil and away from the foundation. Most new homes have at least an exterior drain tile system installed. However, exterior drain tile can also be installed for an existing home. The installation procedure is as follows:
the first step is excavation down to the level of the footing.
A trench is dug around the foundation’s perimeter. The trench is filled with a few inches of gravel. A perforated, socked drain tile pipe is placed on the gravel.
Step 2: Clean and Prep Your Foundation Walls
Preparing your foundation walls for waterproofing is essential for ensuring the longevity of the waterproofing treatment. Proper preparation ensures optimal adherence to the waterproofing material for an effective moisture barrier. Here’s a step-by-step guide to adequately prepare your foundation walls for waterproofing: inspect for damage: look for cracks or spalling on the foundation walls. Clean the surface: remove debris and old paint using a brush or power washer. There are numerous waterproofing products in the market, but not all of them are created equal. According to a 2021 survey , drylok finishes first in brand leadership for exterior foundation waterproofing during the construction phase.
The first step is to clean and level the foundation surface to be insulated. It is necessary to remove any dust from the foundation surface. If the foundation has cracks, holes, or other damage, it is also important to repair them. This step ensures that the foundation surface is properly prepared for insulation.
It’s vitally important to make sure you install foundation waterproofing correctly and first time. It’s difficult to fix any issues retrospectively - although it can be done. You want to give yourself and the homeowner peace of mind that their basement will be waterproof for decades to come. This article takes you through the components of a foundation waterproofing system and then provides step by step instructions on how to waterproof your foundation walls.
Health and hygiene – when mildew, fungus, and mold form, they introduce harmful spores in the air. Room climate -the uncomfortable chill and dampness causes reduction of heat insulation which increases heating costs. Costly repairs – damaged wall surfaces and ceilings can cost a lot of money to repair or replace. Insect infestation – mold attracts bugs. If they live long enough in your walls, they will damage the whole house structure from inside out! it’s an expensive fix that requires demolition & rebuilding. Structural effects – moisture damages timber elements, interior plasterwork, and finishes. Weaken structural integrity – the moisture can cause the wall to move, buckle, or bend, leading to cracks in your foundation.