Basement Waterproofing DIY

When you discover that your basement is wet, the first thing you need to do it figure out what’s causing the dampness and how much repairs will cost. Rather than digging up your foundation and having a panic attack over the finances of fixing the mess, learn what you need to know about how water gets into a basement and then you can properly estimate the cost of waterproofing your basement.

Is condensation the culprit? Here’s how to tell:

  • tape a twelve-inch piece of aluminum foil to the damp wall and seal it tightly.
  • After a couple of days, check the foil.
  • If the outside of the foil is wet, then it’s safe to say that you have a water concern.

Improved ventilation is the answer for condensation problems. An option is to buy a dehumidifier to decrease the moisture in the basement. Several dehumidifiers are available on the market and quality models can cost around two hundred dollars. If you determine that condensation isn’t the reason for your wet basement, then you could have a problem with ground water draining into your basement via cracks in the foundation. What are some solutions to leaking ground water?

  • Install an interior drain that will collect the water and send it to a sump pump.
  • DIY is possible and the cost depends on how much drain you need.
  • Kits can cost around two hundred fifty dollars and include enough product to cover twenty feet or one thousand dollars for ninety six feet.
  • A professional installation will cost you about twice as much as a DIY, perhaps more.

More severe water problems will cost more to repair. The ground around the foundation will need to be excavated and a waterproof barrier installed including drains and gravel. Normally these types of repairs can cost upward around five thousand dollars or more. Drains, sump pumps etc are all excellent choices for waterproofing your basement but they are expensive options as DIY projects like this require renting equipment.

As previously mentioned, learn what you need to know about basement waterproofing DIY projects and decide if it’s something that you can afford or even are capable of doing before you make the problem worse by getting in over your head.

For more intensive self-help with waterproofing basement projects you should consider “The Home Waterproofer’s Manual – Home Waterproofing A to Z” easy to follow guides which show you exactly where the water comes from, where it should go and how to make it go there, without spending a lot of money.