Basement Waterproofing.... Complicated.?

Question

We just bought a house and the basement is damp. There is some leakage around the corners of the floor/wall. Now under normal circumstances water proofing this wouldnt be too complicated. Here is my problem. This house had some foundation problems, the back foundation wall cracked and started to bow in. It has been fixed, the plans were drawn up by an engineer and followed. The fix is a permanent one but is not a cosmetic one. In other words, though the building is structurally sound the wall was not replaced. Now I want to waterproof it and finish at least part of the basement for added living space. We plan to divert water away from the house outside and slope the ground at the base so water flows away. But am I able to use a sealant type waterproofer on the inside of the basement? Or will that put too much pressure on the bowed in area and cause more problems? Im looking for an inexpensive solution please. As of right now we plan to go with a baseboard system.

We plan to have a drain system installed on the outside of the house. Having sump pumps put inside is too expensive for a house we will only live in for around 10 years. The main of my question has not be truly answered yet.

Can I use a sealant on the cracked/bowed in wall without compromising it further or compromising other areas of the walls?

The basement does not leak much so I think that adequate outside draining will clean up the leakage. But I would like to put on a sealant if possible for the added protection.

Answer 1

If you are worried about hydrostatic pressure on the outside of the wall, there are only two solutions.

1.) Bigger drain system outside and below floor level. I.e. a trench with perforated pipe and drain rock to carry water away from the house.

2.) interior collection and pumping. If you have sufficient gravel under the floor, a couple of sumps along the wall to collect water and pump it outside will probably do the trick. You could get as complicated as you want to with this one, and then put up an interior "curtain wall" to hide the plumbing etc.

Answer 2

relies upon on what is going on consisting of your basemen. Is it block or is it concrete walls? no matter if it really is block i'd advise procuring a rubber rized product from abode depot or anther shop that would carry something like that.And coat each little thing and a million-2" inches on the floor whare the wall and the floor meet.

Answer 3

I would refer to a professional basement waterproofing contractor those provide guaranteed services that is American Dry Basement Systems .

Answer 4

You can use a, believe it or not, latex sealant: Drylock. It works just fine.

Answer 5

Yes Drylock does work but you must really put on heavy, don't skimp.

Answer 6

there is no cheap ans. have a professional co. do the job