Are you looking for an efficient way to waterproof your basement? Do you have leaks that show up occasionally? Standing water in your basement can be a really frustrating problem to deal with. If you’re looking for a home improvement project you can mostly handle on your own, waterproofing your basement is a great option.
Basement waterproofing in Indianapolis doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many options out there and you will still keep your wallet in one piece with most of them. A lot of these solutions are also very friendly to those who love DIY projects. These solutions will also help improve the overall value of your home.
1. Waterproofing The Outside Of The Basement
Waterproofing the outside of your basement can be done in a variety of ways. The way you choose depends on any particularly problematic spots surrounding the area around your basement. These options will vary in cost but are financially better than trying to drain an already flooded basement. It will also help with protecting the structural integrity of the walls.
The most popular method of exterior waterproofing is a waterproof epoxy that covers the outside of the wall. This epoxy will prevent any water or moisture from seeping through into the walls of your basement. Most epoxies are designed to be flexible, in order to prevent cracking when your basement walls expand and contract.
This method will likely need to be done during construction, as it would require excavation in order to apply it later down the line. The epoxy also cannot be applied to already painted walls or walls with white mineral deposits on them. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands, this method may not be best for a DIY project.
Another method you can use is to slope the ground around the basement. This will allow better flow away from the walls and help prevent leaks from building up. You should also keep shrubs and other plants away from the walls so that the water they collect will not seep into the walls. Digging little trenches down the slopes will also help in this regard.
2. Waterproofing The Inside Of Your Basement
Waterproofing the inside of your basement is a more available solution to the average DIYer. Some of these methods will be similar to a few of the exterior waterproofing methods. Overall waterproofing the inside of your basement will be more affordable than trying to waterproof the outside.
According to the Bob Vila website, interior sealants can cost between $3 to $9 per square foot. You can find these types of sealants at your local hardware stores or supercenters. You can also find many great options from your favorite online retailers.
One great type of sealant option is a waterproof concrete sealant. This type of sealant is very similar to cement and is extremely thick. It will become permanent when dry, so be careful where you apply it. This sealant can not be applied over paint so you may have to strip your walls first.
Another indoor sealant option is a silicate sealant. These are designed to penetrate the walls and mix with the chemicals in concrete to create a permanent seal. These also cannot be applied to walls that are already painted. However, some sealants of this kind can be painted over once dried, so make sure you pay attention to which type you buy before you begin your project.
Waterproof paint is also an easy DIY application. These acrylic formulas are very similar to normal paint and can also be applied over existing paint on your walls. Just be aware that this type of paint will need to be applied with a thicker coat than you might be used to. This method also covers fewer square feet than other options like silicate sealants.
Although these methods are cheaper for DIY, they shouldn’t be heavily relied on. They will assist in protecting the structure, but over time they will degrade. You may have to repeat this step several times over the course of owning your home. It’s more of a preventative step than a final solution to your waterproofing efforts.
3. Sump Pumps And Other Drain Options
A very reliable way of keeping water out is a sump pump. Sump pump systems pump the water out from low points in your basement and move the water outside. Effective setups can also use trenches around the interior walls to help keep water out.
One way you can aid a sump pump in doing a proper job is by putting plastic sheeting on the walls. The plastic sheeting will help keep any water leakage closer to the wall, causing it to trickle down to the trenches you’ve already built. From there, the water will be gradually pumped out.
It’s recommended that you have a drain installed as well. This way, the water has a place to go while the sump pump does its job. The drains will also help in keeping water off the floor, protecting any furniture or other valuables you might have in your basement.
The best time to get the drains installed is during the installation of the sump pump both for ease and cost purposes. It’s cheaper to get it all done at once instead of trying to do this step later on down the line.
Just be aware that sump pumps, while extremely effective, are also the most expensive waterproofing method. They can run between $5,000 to $20,000 depending on your contractor and the materials used. To keep overall costs as low as possible, it’s best to apply any indoor sealant at the same time you’re having your sump pump installed.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are various ways you can go about waterproofing a basement. For those who DIY, you easily have plenty of options. From sealants to yard modifications, there are plenty of options you’ll be able to handle all on your own. If a project becomes too overwhelming there are also a wide variety of professionals ready to step in and take over where you left off.
From something as simple as painting to something more complicated like sump pumps, there’s plenty you can do for your basement. With any of these methods, you’ll still be able to keep your furniture dry and your basement free of water damage. Using some of these options in tandem offers even more protection, ensuring you’re one happy homeowner after it’s all finished.
