Basement Waterproofing Products – 9 Supplies For Experts

In this article, we’ll be looking at different old and new basement waterproofing products and what they are used for.

Thanks to technological advancements and a better understanding of basement moisture and its causes, there has been a significant improvement in the quality of basement waterproofing supplies we have today.

Each of these products is unique in the way they are applied, but all serve the same purpose – To keep water out of your basement.

What Are Basement Waterproofing Products?

Basement waterproofing products, or basement waterproofing supplies are various materials that are designed and made to keep water or moisture out of a building’s basement.

They come in different shapes, sizes, and can be applied differently to solve various moisture problems in the basement.

Why You Need Waterproofing Products For Basements?

Excessive moisture in the foundation of your home can make its way into your basement. And this can cause all sorts of problems in the short and long term.

Such problems include the development of mold, accumulation of bacteria, weakened basement walls, and a weakened building structure.

Mold and bacteria are in no way good for people with certain health concerns. Also, a weakened foundation could lead to the worst – a cracked, compromised, and unsafe building to live in.

The integrity and structure of your home must not be compromised by moisture, and this is why you need to buy, install, or use as many basement waterproofing products as required.

These products help keep your basement dry and your structure solid for longer.

Buying and installing these products would cost you a decent sum of money, but it’ll be worth every dollar in the end. These costs add up to the overall cost of waterproofing your basement.

Types Of Basement Waterproofing Supplies

Below are the major types of basement waterproofing products.

1. Dehumidifiers

Basement humidity is a major problem for homeowners in many states across the US, especially during the warmer, more humid months of the year.

This is what makes a basement humidifier one of the most commonly used waterproofing products. Without it, the effects of condensation will be heavily felt. The basement and your house as a whole will become excessively damp and filled with mold.

The good news is, frequent condensation can be put to a halt, simply by installing a dehumidifier in your basement. For best results, you should buy one that comes with a built-in air filter and humidity control.

You should also buy one that can self-drain into a sump pump system.

We have to mention though, dehumidifiers are great at keeping moisture away from your basement, but they aren’t the most effective stand-alone basement waterproofing products out there.

However, they are great when paired alongside other basement waterproofing systems.

2. Interior Drainage Systems

A great partner for a humidifier is an interior drainage system. Luckily, there are many types to choose from.

The purpose of an interior drainage system is to catch the water that creeps through cracks in the walls or leaking pipes and redirect it away from your basement.

The incoming water is caught by the system’s inlet holes and travels out through the drainage pipe, and into the sump pump.

A typical interior drainage system is very easy to install. It also costs significantly less than its exterior counterparts.

An excellent tip is to get an interior drainage system that’s built with plastic materials. This is because plastic does not corrode or decay like metal. This means it can last you for many years down the line.

Plastic is also lighter, so installation wouldn’t be as tedious as metal materials.

3. Wall Crack Repair Products

Cracks in your walls are one of the most common causes of moisture in your basement. Usually, these cracks stem from soil movement and hydrostatic pressure.

When cracks start appearing in the walls, that’s when flowing water has an opening to penetrate the basement.

Even though we don’t have a say in how our walls get cracked, we have solutions to the cracks themselves.

One of such solutions is a wall crack repair product. This is very effective at sealing those little pockets of space through which water flows. Also, they are very strong and do not crack open or leak like their mortar-based counterparts.

Another good thing about a wall crack repair is that it’s compatible with other perimeter drainage systems.

4. Basement Sump Pumps

We can’t speak about basement waterproofing products without mentioning sump pumps. Saying they are an essential solution to getting rid of water from your basement is a massive understatement, as they effectively prevent destructive basement flooding.

When you’re in the market for one, we advise you buy a sump pump with battery backup and one with a soil filter.

We assume the contractor you hire should know this but ensure that it is installed at the lowest point of the basement floor (that’s assuming the floor is not leveled).

The reason for this is pretty obvious, as water will always flow to the steepest point on the ground. And that’s exactly where you want the sump pump to be.

You could also use a concrete mixture to level the basement floor before installing the sump pump. This will allow you to place it anywhere you wish during installation.

5. Basement Insulation System

A basement insulation system performs almost the same task as a dehumidifier, but with a few differences.

This waterproofing product is built to reduce the amount of moisture condensation in your basement. But that’s not all, it can also make your home more energy-efficient, as it significantly slashes the cost of cooling and heating.

You will need an experienced contractor to handle the installation. Not that it’s a big deal, but the more experience the better.

Proper installation of the system limits the risk of frozen pipes during the winter months, which in turn removes dampness in your basement, thereby making it impossible for mold to grow.

6. Vapor Barriers

This is another important product you can use to fight moisture in your basement. Vapor barrier materials do not allow moisture to creep through the foundation walls and into your basement.

Common vapor barriers include waterproofing sealants, wall panels, and paints. You can apply them over the surface of the walls to keep moisture from coming in.

The downside to this product is that it can only keep moisture from getting past the walls and into the basement, but it doesn’t keep the moisture out of the walls entirely.

7. Frozen Discharge Line Protection

In the winter season, the outer discharging lines of your basement sump pump could get frozen or clogged. However, you can still keep the sump pump active by installing a freeze relief for your discharge line.

This is an excellent basement waterproofing product, as it guards your sump pump and basement against flooding, even in a case where the discharge line is clogged or frozen

8. Downspout Extensions

For exterior waterproofing purposes, installing downspout lines is a great idea. This product plays a key role in guiding water away from your building’s foundation.

To get the best out of your downspout extensions, be sure to keep them free of any sort of clogging so the water can have a smooth and easy flow away from your basement.

9. Grated Drain Pipe

If your home is constantly under the threat of being flooded, then you might need more than a sump pump. Add a grated drain pipe to the mix to ensure flooding doesn’t happen.

The drainpipe should be installed on your doorway, as it will prevent water from getting in by redirecting it into your perimeter drainage system for the sump pump to channel it outside.

An extra tip is to install the grated drain pipe just after your door so there would be no chance of clogging.

Choosing The Right Basement Waterproofing Products

The basement waterproofing materials and products you will use depends on the kind of water problem you are dealing with. This is why a thorough assessment is needed before you buy and install any waterproofing solutions.

Some products offer short-term and long-term fixes, while some offer you both.

Products like waterproof seals, paints, crack injections, and sump pumps offer temporary solutions and they don’t cost much. However, products that offer long-term solutions are more expensive and will take days to install.

Examples of long-term waterproofing products include interior and exterior drain pumps.

One major factor you have to consider when choosing a waterproofing product is the extent to which the installation will disrupt your home activities.

There are products such as a drainage system, which will require a significant amount of excavation. If the excavation is something you and your household can put up with, then proceed.

We must advise though, the temporary inconvenience that comes with installing some of these products are worth the trouble. As long as they keep the water out, then its mission is accomplished.

Conclusion

With the right products, you can effectively keep your basement free of water.

The ones mentioned in this article should do the trick, but remember to consult with a professional contractor to assess the basement and leakages before you buy.

We hope this information has been helpful.

Good luck!