If you want to put a TV or pool table in your basement so your kids have a place of their own, the first step is to deal with wet areas, condensation, and high humidity. There are a few approaches to take with basement waterproofing, but you want something that's permanent if you're going to use the basement as a living space. Here's how an interior approach to basement waterproofing can be done.
Seal Cracks
You or a basement waterproofing contractor should look around your basement for cracks and gaps to the outside. These should be filled to keep water out. In addition to looking for cracks in the floor and walls, look for gaps around basement windows and gaps around pipes that exit the basement.
Install A Drain And Sump Pump
Your contractor may determine that your basement needs an interior drain to stay dry. This involves breaking up the concrete along the wall so the contractor can dig a trench in the soil for the drain. The drain needs to be deeper than the foundation so it can catch water before it gets into your basement. Once the drain is installed, it can be covered with new concrete or a drain grate.
The drain is long enough to reach a pit that's dug somewhere in your basement. The water collected by the drain empties into the pit, and when the water level is high enough, a pump is triggered to turn on and pump the water out of the basement through another drain.
A sump pump often has battery backup power, so it will work if the power is out. This type of interior basement waterproofing is effective, but you'll need to keep up with sump pump maintenance and have repairs done promptly if the pump malfunctions.
Deal With Condensation
Condensation can be a problem in basements, too. By wrapping plumbing pipes in insulation and venting a dryer to the outside, you can reduce the amount of humidity in the basement by eliminating condensation. Your basement waterproofing contractor might also recommend covering the walls with waterproof paint or coating to help with condensation on the walls and to stop water from seeping through the concrete.
You might also need to set up a dehumidifier and let it run continuously in the basement to keep humidity in a lower range so your basement won't smell musty. You may not need all of these steps done, but if they're all done together, you should eliminate problems with dampness, wet floors, water dripping down walls, musty odors, and high humidity so you can use the basement as an extra living space without ruining your equipment or furniture.
For more information, reach out to a basement waterproofing service near you.