how do you waterproof a basement?

Answer 1

A lot depends on how the water is coming in, where it comes from and how much comes in. The first thing you do is take a good look at the landscaping around your house. If it slopes in to the house it needs to be built up to channel the water away from the house. Downspouts need extenders to keep the water away as well. Now we move inside - is the finish solid or is it chalky and flaking. If solid try epoxy waterproof paint - it helps. If flaking and or chalky paint will not help. Fill in any visible cracks with a waterproof cement. Rent a jackhammer and create your own french drain where it is the worst. Drop a sump pump in. Water comes in - water gets pumped out. Not ideal but it works. If you are willing to spend big bucks you can have all the soil around the foundation removed, have pipes put in to catch the water and move it away, have all the exterior walls waterproofed (using a tar-like material) then have the soil returned and pitched properly. Unless you have a river coming in that is usually too expensive. A note of caution should you go the french drain route - check for radon. It is possible that if you are in a radon area breaking up the concrete to make a drain will give you other problems.

Answer 2

first make sure your outside walls have drainage properly done below the foundation level and draining away from the home. second there are waterproof paints, and cement one can use depending on where you need to stop water.. 3rd is a sump pump

Answer 3

http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/basement.html
this is an excellent website with complete do-it-yourself instructions--good luck