The presence of water in your basement is not good for your house and your health mainly because it promotes the growth of bacteria, molds, and mildew. You may ask, can you seal the foundation from the inside? We've investigated this question for you and here is what we found.
Yes, you can seal your foundation from the inside. There are various ways to do it and one way to do it is by sealing your basement.
However, sealing from the inside does not always guarantee that outside moisture will not penetrate inside.
Let's now delve into what is foundation sealing, how it works, and how to apply it. Also, we'll discuss the benefits of having your basements sealed, other things you can do to ensure there will be no leaks in your foundation, as well as possible causes of a leaky basement. Read on to learn about these topics.
What Is Foundation Sealing And How Does It Work?
The procedure of waterproofing a home or building's foundation to extend its life is known as foundation sealing. Depending on the environmental circumstances in the location, both the foundation and the basement may need to be sealed.
Sealing foundations and waterproofing basements and crawl spaces can be done in a variety of ways. Before you determine which solutions are best for you, get it professionally assessed and ask for custom rates and possibilities.
What Causes Wet Basements?
Here are some possible reasons why you have a wet or leaky basement:
- Cracks are present in your foundation.
- Unsecure basement windows, doors, window wells, and egress windows
- Rainwater that is not correctly diverted away from your property will collect at the foundation and leak into the basement.
- Poor drainage. A faulty drainage system, inadequately built or blocked gutters, or even a slope surrounding your house may be the reason for poor drainage.
Benefits Of Sealing The Basement
In keeping the water out of your basements and crawl spaces, here are the benefits you can't miss out on:
- Keep moisture at bay.
- Increase the resale value of your home.
- Odor elimination.
- Keep your foundation walls and slab safe.
- Prevent cracks in above-ground walls.
- Keep mold and rot at bay.
- Keep pests away from your home.
- Make your basement or cellar usable.
- Sealing foundations today can provide long-term energy savings.
- Maintain your interior.
Ways To Avoid Wet Basement
Here are some precautions you may take to keep water out of your basement:
- Direct water away from your foundation.
- Repair gaps and cracks.
- Apply waterproofing product.
- Install or replace gutters or downspouts.
- Integrate an indoor drainage system in your house.
Direct Water Away From Your Foundation
You should slope your yard to prevent water from entering the basement. This will aid in preventing incoming water from entering. So, proper grading of the landscape is important for keeping your basement dry.
Repair Gaps And Cracks
If you detect water dripping into the basement through gaps or cracks, plug them with hydraulic cement. It contains some chemicals that help the cement adhere and expand.
Because the sealant hardens quickly, it easily penetrates deep into cracks and crevices to keep additional water out.
Apply Waterproofing Product
Seal or coat the interior of the walls with a masonry waterproofing compound. When the paint dries, the sealant makes a waterproof bond, preventing water from penetrating. This is how you waterproof basement walls from the inside.
Install Or Replace Gutters Or Downspouts
Consider installing gutters and sump pumps if you don't already have them. Install metal or plastic extensions if you have previously installed downspouts or gutters. It will aid in capturing runoff or surplus water and draining it far away from your foundation.
Integrate An Indoor Drainage System In Your House
The most well-known approach for providing the best protection against water dripping or pooling in your basement is to install an inside French drain and an efficient sump pump system.
How To Apply Waterproofing Inside Basements
To apply waterproofing to your basement, you can follow these five steps:
- Clean the area where you want to waterproof.
- For any gaps, utilize hydraulic cement to plug any self-evident gaps and expansive cracks.
- Fill minor cracks using a crack filler.
- Utilize caulk to seal entryways, windows, and window wells.
- After your gaps and cracks are fixed, utilize a waterproof coating on your basement surfaces.
Note: Apply the concrete sealer with a quality nylon bristle brush or 3/4" nap roller, making sure to push it into the pores of the masonry. To assure waterproofing, provide proper coverage and at least two coats of the sealant. Read all product guidelines and directions before applying.
How To Determine The Source Of Leaking In Your Basement?
Place an aluminum foil on the interior of the basement walls to find the source of the leaking. If you notice there is dampness on the exterior of the foil after a while, it signifies your basement is gathering water owing to high humidity.
What Are The Health Risks Of Having A Wet Basement?
Having a wet basement can cause:
- growth of mildew, molds, and fungus
- dust mites
- rodent infestation
Growth Of Mildew, Molds, And Fungus
Mold flourishes in damp environments and comes in a variety of colors including black, brown, yellow, pink, and green. When the mold is breathed or touched, symptoms such as a headache, sneezing, coughing, irritation, watery nose, watery eyes, or eye infection may appear.
Prolonged untreated symptoms may worsen chronic sinus infections and may lead to death.
Dust Mites
Dust mites grow in moist conditions. These are difficult to observe and require the use of a microscope. You can find dust mites under the fabric, carpets, beds, sofas, and even clothes. Although dust mites are not the same as mold, they have the same effect on one's health, altering respiration and potentially triggering asthma or an allergic reaction.
Rodent Infestation
A wet or leaky basement or crawl space provides warm, moist environments in which rodents love to reside in. Having mice in the home might raise various alarming health issues because rodents can spread infections.
You may acquire an infectious condition known as Rat-Bite fever once a rat bit or scratched you. The urine or saliva of a rodent can also be extremely harmful. Rodents contain numerous germs and viruses, including leptospirosis, hantaviruses, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
Best Waterproofing Products For Your Basement
Here are some of the best waterproofing sealants you can use for your home:
Liquid Rubber Foundation and Basement Sealant
A non-toxic coating that cures to provide a waterproof membrane. This product works by forming a waterproof seal around the foundation to keep moisture where you want it.
Click here for this product on Amazon
Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing and Protective Coating
This product offers resistance to moisture absorption. It also retains flexibility and elasticity, is impervious to pooling water, and expands & contracts alongside substrate movement.
Click here for this product on Amazon
KILZ Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint
This high-quality product is designed for waterproofing and protecting porous concrete and masonry surfaces on the interior and outside of your home. In addition, this product uses nanotechnology to create a barrier that prevents water intrusion, while an alkali-resistant layer creates a long-lasting, tough, and appealing surface.
Click here for this product on Amazon
Drylok Extreme Latex Masonry Waterproofer
Unlike regular paint, which just adheres to a surface and can be driven off by incoming water pressure, this product penetrates the pores in that surface, bonding to the masonry and establishing an unbreakable barrier.
Click here for this product on Amazon
Is It Enough To Seal The Basement From The Inside?
Simply waterproofing the interior of a basement is not a long-term solution. It may buy you some time if the exterior walls of the foundation are unstable, but it will not prevent all problems. Moisture in the basement is typically the result of a problem that begins on the foundation's outside.
Combining interior and outdoor waterproofing can give you a solid basement for your home.
Final Words
Interior waterproofing helps keep water damage from worsening but having the repairs done on the outside addresses the problems at their source. This prevents water from entering the home, protects your foundation's concrete or stone from erosion, and also keeps the foundation from disintegrating.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out these great posts:
Should You Seal Your Basement Wall? [And How To]