We bought our first home last July which has a fully finished basement, except for the utility room. We've had a couple of hard rains where water has leaked through the walls. There's also a window well where water collected and seeped through the window. Though no major damage has occurred, it's only a matter of time before the room floods. We're thinking a contacting a contractor to waterproof the utility room. I've seen waterproof sealants that you can paint on or spray on the walls but I don't know enough to know which ones to select. Should I contact a professional to waterproof our basement or should I do it myself?
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You are generally better off mitigation water OUTSIDE the home than by trying to fill cracks and holes INSIDE.
Reason is that literally TONS of water can press against the basement! Do some searching on HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE and learn more about this.
In the meantime, some tried-and-true techniques:
1. slope ground down and away from home
2. be sure gutters are clean and that downspouts drain away from home
Your roof collects a lot of water during a heavy rain! try and divert as much of this as possible.
This is not to say that basement waterproofing isn't a good idea--cause it may help. But anything you can do with the water in the first place, you're ahead of the game....good luck!
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
Reason is that literally TONS of water can press against the basement! Do some searching on HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE and learn more about this.
In the meantime, some tried-and-true techniques:
1. slope ground down and away from home
2. be sure gutters are clean and that downspouts drain away from home
Your roof collects a lot of water during a heavy rain! try and divert as much of this as possible.
This is not to say that basement waterproofing isn't a good idea--cause it may help. But anything you can do with the water in the first place, you're ahead of the game....good luck!
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
