It is possible to waterproof a basement by just sealing leaking walls, but more often than not, leaking walls are caused by an exterior drainage problem. This is a problem that will have to be addressed by a waterproofing company. A professional will be able to tell if the basement’s moisture is caused by high humidity condensing inside, or if the moisture is coming from the outside. After this, the homeowner will be able to figure out if waterproofing interior walls is the best option.
Before a homeowner thinks about waterproofing walls, they must figure out what’s causing the moisture. Doing this step on their own, could save a lot of money. All the homeowner has to do is tape a one-foot square piece of aluminum foil to a basement wall for 24-hours. Condensation on the outside of the foil will indicate high humidity inside of the basement.
High humidity is not a cause for waterproofing, and can be fixed with a portable or whole-house dehumidifier system. Condensation on the outside of the foil is indicative of damp soil around the home. Damp soil could mean that a high water table has caused the soil to become naturally damp or that there is poor soil drainage. This means that waterproofing steps will have to be employed.
Experienced companies like Drycrete Waterproofing know that it’s best to Waterproof Basement in Boston MA on the exterior. However, this option will be costly to the homeowner. Exterior waterproofing can cost from $15,000 to $30,000. Those who can’t afford this can try the less expensive interior waterproofing methods, like:
1. Applying Silicate-based concrete sealers ($40-$50 per 200 sq. ft.)
2. Lining basement walls with Plastic sheets and panel ($3000-$5000)
3. Applying waterproofing acrylic paint ($35-$40 per 75 sq. ft.)
4. Sealing walls with concrete waterproofing coating ($30-$40 per 100 sq. ft)
Interior waterproofing can be a good solution for a Waterproof Basement in Boston MA, but they are temporary. The most sure method is full-scale exterior waterproofing. This method involves several steps. The first step is excavating around the home to the depth of the foundation’s walls. After this, a waterproof coating topped by drainage panels is installed. These panels provide a path for water to flow down to the home’s French drain at the bottom of the foundation. Once water flow is established, the water is aided by a sump pump away from the foundation and into the storm drain.
