Exterior Basement Waterproofing Stops Water Before It Enters Your Home
Using your basement as a workout studio, office, or man cave? That’s okay. Olshan can waterproof your basement from the outside using a less intrusive approach designed to keep water from entering your basement.
Waterproofing basement walls from outside helps stop the water before it enters your basement. This differs from interior basement waterproofing in both the concept and scope of repair.
Unlike interior waterproofing, which first allows water to seep into the basement before managing it away, the basement wall exterior waterproofing method of water management is designed to help prevent water from ever entering the basement.
Exterior waterproofing is a highly effective waterproofing method and can be completed on basements with both poured concrete or masonry block walls.
Jump to:
- Exterior Basement Waterproofing: 5 Lines of Defense
- Interior Vs. Exterior Basement Wall Waterproofing
- 5 Common Ways Water Enters Your Basement
- Talk With an Exterior Basement Wall Waterproofing Expert Near You
- Reviews of Olshan’s Basement Leveling Services
Exterior basement waterproofing involves digging out the dirt around basement walls, applying a moisture barrier, and installing a specially designed dimple board that deflects water away from the wall.
This approach stops seepage at the source and is popular among homeowners that do not want work to be performed on the interior of their home.
Exterior basement waterproofing from Olshan includes a drainage system consisting of a footer drain installed in gravel. The footer drain helps discharge water away from the home, while the gravel fill works to alleviate hydrostatic pressure.
This repair requires excavation of the basement wall and also includes an exterior moisture barrier (dimple board + membrane).
Exterior Waterproofing is a great way to waterproof a finished basement that is used regularly, as it stops water at the source and does not require work to be performed on the interior of their home.
Exterior Basement Waterproofing: 5 Lines of Defense
Installation of an exterior moisture barrier & dimple board on the exterior basement wall to transport water to the drainage system- Moisture membrane provides protection from outside water table and seepage
- 3/4” washed gravel replaces dirt to relieve built-up hydrostatic pressure and ensure water passage to the footer drainage system
- Footer drain is placed outside of the home to safely discharge water away from the foundation
- Sump pump installation with available dual pumps or gravity discharge as needed
Installation of an exterior moisture barrier & dimple board on the exterior basement wall to transport water to the Interior Vs. Exterior Basement Wall Waterproofing
There are two main methods of waterproofing your basement walls – interior waterproofing and exterior waterproofing.
Both methods are highly effective, but which one is best for you depends on a number of factors.
To determine which solution works best for you, an Olshan Certified Structural Technician will analyze your basement to determine where the problems occur, consult with you about your long-term home improvement goals, then identify the best possible solution for you.
- Work performed outside, no disturbance to the interior of your basement, making it a great choice for homeowners with finished basements
- A sump pump system is sometimes recommended, but may not be necessary
- Longer installation time compared to interior waterproofing
- Products are serviceable
- Includes exterior wall waterproofing with moisture barrier, dimple board and exterior drainage
Exterior basement wall is covered with a moisture barrier, then shielded by a dimple board. Dirt is replaced by gravel to reduce hydrostatic pressure and a drainage system is placed at the footer to help ensure water stays out and away from the basement.
Once the water problems have been addressed, these components also work together to help reduce damp air levels inside the home. The air quality benefits of exterior waterproofing can be amplified by incorporating an optional air quality system.
5 Common Ways Water Enters Your Basement
Talk With an Exterior Basement Wall Waterproofing Expert Near You
If your home doesn’t have a good water management solution, it can be in for some serious trouble. Excess moisture in the soil around your foundation can lead to all sorts of problems, from exterior basement wall and foundation damage to decreased property value.
To protect your home and keep it in good shape, you need to protect basement walls from the outside, this includes a comprehensive water management solution that takes care of all potential drainage problems. That way, you can avoid any future damage to your exterior basement walls and foundation caused by water seepage or too much moisture in the soil.
Find out if exterior basement waterproofing is the best solution for you, schedule a free assessment with Olshan.
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