Basement Waterproofing Sealer

More than half of homes in the USA have problems with wet or damp basements. Because of the high water tables basements are at high risk for water and moisture intrusion. In order to keep a basement dry it is best to use one of these common basement waterproofing techniques:

Dehumidifier: Best if the moisture in the basement is due to condensation. This can be determined by performing the plastic sheet test. Tape some plastic onto a damp spot, sealing the edges with tape for a few days. If moisture appears on the wall side of the plastic, it’s a leak; if moisture is on the outside, it’s a condensation problem. A dehumidifier will help to reduce air borne moisture and will also help to reduce the musty basement smell.

French Drain: For more severe cases of basement moisture, a french drain is used. A french drain a trench filled with gravel and rock that contains a perforated pipe to redirect surface water and groundwater away from a foundation. They are difficult to install, prone to clogging and can be expensive to maintain.

Basement Waterproofing Sealer: When concrete basement foundations are installed contractors typically install a vapor barrier. However, not all homes have vapor barriers so a moisture or vapor barrier sealer is usually the best option. First you will need to determine the amount of moisture in the concrete which can be done through a Calcium Chloride Test. If the amount of moisture is below 20lbs a product like the Vapor-Tek 440 can be used. It will resist up to 20lbs of moisture and is an easy, cost-effective option to combat basement moisture.