A wet basement is one of the things that most homeowners dread a lot. This is because it can lead to mold growth, water stains, foul odors, water pooling, rotting, and other issues that can affect the comfort and safety of homes. Luckily, basement waterproofing can help you to prevent these issues.

So, if you are looking for ways to waterproof your basement, you have to consider two options – interior basement waterproofing and exterior basement waterproofing. To select the best option for your basement, you should learn about the basics of these two waterproofing types.

Interior basement waterproofing

After the water has entered your basement, interior waterproofing is used for sending the water out and away from your house. This method requires the use of several drains and pipes installed under the foundation or around the walls to collect water and re-route it. To guarantee proper draining of the water, crushed rocks are placed around the drainage systems and pipes.

A sump pit receives the excess water from the basement. Then, water is drained into this pit whenever the basement is flooded.

The next component of the interior waterproofing system is the sump pump. A sump pump is placed inside the pit and carries water from the basement and away from the building. This pump starts working automatically when the excess water inside the pit gets to a particular level.

Vapor barriers also play a key role in interior basement waterproofing. Generally, vapor barriers are plastic or foil sheeting that can help in sealing out moisture from the basement. These damp-proofing materials ensure that water vapor doesn’t diffuse through floors and walls.

Exterior basement waterproofing

Another method for preventing water damage in your basement is exterior basement waterproofing. This method comes with two important components – surface drainage and exterior drainage systems.

The surface drainage system has series of downspouts, gutters, and grading installed around the house. It is the first mechanism for preventing water from coming into your home.

This system requires properly angled and unclogged gutters. Also, the downspouts should be well extended from the home to ensure they can carry excess water far away from the foundation. Additionally, you must ensure proper grading of the ground around the home.

Next, you need an exterior drainage system, which is created around the exterior of the foundation of the house. It is recommended that this system is installed during the construction of the property.

An essential component of this system is a drain tile system or French drain, which requires the digging of a trench around the foundation of the property. Afterward, some perforated drain tiles are installed into the trench with gravel around them. Then, you have to cover the area with soil so that water can travel over it without any hassle.

Which system is the best?

Without a doubt, both systems are great for your home. Interior basement waterproofing is great for getting rid of accumulated water in the basement whereas exterior waterproofing prevents water from coming into the basement. Therefore, each system performs a specific function. Although it will be costly, using both methods is good.

No matter the system used for your home, be certain that it is effective for preventing water from damaging your property.