How to Waterproof Your Home

Waterproofing is a crucial step in protecting buildings from the damaging effects of moisture. Whether it’s preventing leaks in a basement, stopping water intrusion through walls, or shielding a roof from heavy rainfall, waterproofing helps maintain a structure’s integrity and longevity. There are several effective methods available, from applying liquid sealants and waterproof membranes to integrating water-resistant materials directly into concrete. Each approach is designed to create a barrier against moisture and protect key areas of a building from costly water damage.

Types of Waterproofing

When you want to keep water out of your house, there are three main ways to do it: inside waterproofing, outside waterproofing, and drainage systems.

Inside waterproofing means sealing the walls and floors from the inside. Outside waterproofing is about putting a shield around the house’s foundation and outer walls.

Drainage systems help both methods by moving water away from the house using things like French drains, sump pumps, and sloping the ground correctly.

Interior Waterproofing

To keep a house safe from water damage, you need to waterproof the inside of the home. Here are some simple steps:

• Use waterproof paint or coatings on basement walls and floors. This stops water from seeping in.

• Set up drains and sump pumps inside. They help move water away if it gets in.

• Put plastic sheets (called vapor barriers) behind walls and under floors. This keeps moisture out.

• Treat concrete with special chemicals that stop water from soaking through.

These methods help keep your home dry and protect it from water problems.

Exterior Waterproofing

To keep a house dry from the outside, special steps are needed. This includes putting waterproof layers or coatings on the outside walls of the foundation.

It’s also important to have good drainage systems to carry water away and to have the ground sloped correctly around the house.

Some advanced ways to protect a house include using special dimpled barriers and chemicals that go into concrete to stop water from getting in.

Drainage Systems

Water drainage systems are important for keeping homes dry and safe. These systems use several key parts to move water away from the house’s foundation.

• French Drains: These are trenches with pipes that have holes. They help gather and move water underground.

• Sump Pumps: Machines that pump out water that collects in a special pit, keeping areas like basements dry.

• Gutter Systems: These are channels on the roof’s edge that collect rainwater. They have long pipes, called downspouts, to guide water away from the house.

• Landscaping: The yard is shaped so rainwater flows away from the house, not toward it.

These parts work together to stop water from damaging your home.

Understanding Common Water Entry Points

Water can get into homes through weak spots on the outside. These spots include cracks in the foundation, window wells, basement walls, and where walls meet the foundation. If utility pipes and electrical wires aren’t sealed well, water can sneak in there, too.

Other places where water might get in are old brick walls with crumbling mortar, roof areas where metal flashings are damaged, and dormers that aren’t sealed right.

Cracks in the basement floor, especially near the wall-floor joint, can also let water in when the ground is wet. Old window frames with bad caulk or weatherstripping can leak during heavy rain.

Selecting the Right Waterproofing Materials

When you find where water might get into your home, it’s time to pick the right materials to keep it out. Different parts of your house need different waterproofing solutions.

• Cement-Based Mixes: Good for concrete foundations and basement walls. They keep water out even when there’s a lot of pressure from the ground.

• Liquid Sealants: These are great for outside walls and roofs. They can stretch and move with the building, so they don’t crack easily.

• Sheet Membranes: Best for places below ground and flat roofs. They come in sheets that are thick and give even protection.

• Crystalline Additives: These go into concrete and make it water-resistant by creating crystals inside.

When choosing, think about how you’ll apply it, how long it needs to last, and the weather conditions. This will help you pick the best one for your home.

Exterior Waterproofing Methods

Keeping water out of a building starts with smart exterior waterproofing strategies. The goal is to manage how water flows around your property to prevent it from seeping into the foundation or lower levels. Key steps include grading the landscape so that the ground slopes away from the structure, maintaining clean and functional gutters and downspouts, and installing proper drainage systems. Applying durable waterproof coatings to the exterior foundation walls adds an extra layer of protection. These proactive measures are essential for keeping your home dry, stable, and safe from long-term water damage.

Improving Yard Grading and Drainage

Correct yard grading and drainage are crucial to keep water away from your home’s foundation. This helps stop basement floods and damage to the building.

To grade correctly, the ground should slope down from the house. It should drop 6 inches for every 10 feet.

Important parts of yard drainage are:

• French Drains: These are pipes that collect water underground and move it away.

• Downspout Extensions: These should be at least 6 feet long to keep roof water away from the foundation.

• Swales: These are shallow ditches that guide water away from the house.

• Gutter Maintenance: Keep gutters clean and use guards to stop overflow, which can ruin the grading.

It’s important to check and fix these systems often to keep water out and protect your home.

Installing Additional or Upgrading Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are essential for keeping water away from your house. Gutters are the channels that catch rain from the roof, and they should be 5 or 6 inches wide for most homes. They need to slope a little toward the downspouts so water can flow correctly.

Professionals can help put them in the right place and secure them to the house.

Downspouts carry the water from the gutters to the ground. They should be placed about every 30 to 40 feet along the gutter. It’s important to have pipes that extend at least 6 feet from the house to keep water away from the foundation.

Larger downspouts, like 3×4-inch rectangles or 4-inch rounds, can handle more water.

Materials like aluminum, copper, or zinc-coated steel are good choices because they last long and don’t rust.

To keep the system working well, clean out leaves and check the joints where parts connect.

Exterior Waterproof Coatings

Exterior waterproof coatings are important for keeping homes safe from water damage. They act like a strong shield on walls and other parts of the house that might get wet. These coatings stop water from getting in and causing harm.

Here are some types of waterproof coatings used by experts:

• Polymer-based membranes: These create a stretchy, crack-resistant layer that keeps water out.

• Crystalline waterproofing compounds: These go into concrete and form a strong barrier against water.

• Elastomeric coatings: These stay flexible when the weather changes and also protect against the sun’s rays.

• Cementitious waterproofing materials: These stick well to concrete and brick surfaces.

To work well, these coatings need the surface to be clean and dry before being applied.

They also need to be checked regularly to make sure they are still doing their job and to fix any problems if needed.

Interior Waterproofing Methods

Interior waterproofing is a critical line of defense against moisture intrusion, especially in basements and lower levels of a home. It focuses on preventing water from penetrating through walls and foundations from the inside.

Sealing Cracks and Holes

Sealing cracks and holes inside a basement is an important first step to keep water out. You need to look carefully and use the right stuff to seal spots where water might get in. Strong hydraulic cement and epoxy sealants work well for most basement problems.

How to seal cracks and holes:

• Clean the area well. Use a wire brush to take away loose dirt and old sealant.

• Use hydraulic cement for cracks that are leaking water. Let it dry completely.

• Fill small cracks with epoxy or foam that can be injected. Make sure it gets deep into the crack.

• Use flexible waterproof caulk for the spots where walls meet the floor.

Using the right method and materials can make these fixes last longer and work better.

Using Waterproof Masonry Cement

Waterproof masonry cement helps keep water out of basements when used on walls and floors. This special cement has stuff in it that makes it repel water but still stick well to concrete and brick surfaces.

To use it right, you need to get the surface ready by cleaning and roughing it up. The cement has to be mixed right and then spread evenly using a brush or a trowel.

You usually need to put on several layers, with each new layer going in a different direction than the last one. It’s important to let each layer dry for a day before adding the next one.

Once finished, this creates a strong, waterproof barrier. It stops water from pushing through and keeps basements dry.

Interior Damage Systems

Homes can be protected from water damage inside when fixing the outside isn’t an option. Experts usually do this by checking where water gets in and then using specific solutions:

• Interior Drain Tile Systems: These are channels under the floor that move water to a sump pump, which then takes it out of the basement.

• Vapor Barriers: These are thick plastic sheets or special coatings that block moisture from getting through walls.

• Epoxy Injection Systems: This involves filling cracks in the foundation with a strong, waterproof material to keep water out.

• French Drains: These are installed along the inner walls to catch and direct water to a drain, stopping it from pooling behind walls.

These methods need experts to set up, but they keep water out and protect the house from damage for a long time.

Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing involves more than just installing a sump pump, it’s about creating a complete defense system against water intrusion. 

A sump pump plays a key role by actively removing excess water before it can flood your basement. Installed in a pit at the lowest point, the pump automatically turns on when water levels rise, pushing water out through discharge pipes to a safe location outside. However, effective waterproofing starts from the outside in. 

Fostering the foundation is equally important. Ensuring that the soil around your home is properly graded to slope away from the foundation helps divert water and reduce pressure on basement walls. A professional can ensure the sump pump system is properly installed and that the exterior grading and drainage work together to keep your basement consistently dry.

Sump Pump

A sump pump helps keep your basement from flooding by moving water away before it gets inside. The system includes a pit, called a basin, at the basement’s lowest spot. An electric pump inside the basin turns on when the water gets too high.

Here’s what you need for a good sump pump setup:

• A strong pump. Most homes use a pump with 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower. Also, have a backup battery in case the power goes out.

• A basin that is at least 18 inches deep with a tight cover. This stops harmful gases like radon from getting inside.

• A pipe that sends water out, at least 20 feet from your house, with a valve to stop water from coming back.

• Regular check-ups. Test the pump every few months, and clean it once a year. Also, make sure the part that makes it turn on (the float switch) is working right.

These steps help keep your basement dry and safe.

Foster the Foundation

One of the most effective ways to prevent basement water intrusion starts with proper grading around your foundation. If an inspection reveals that the soil is sloping toward your home instead of away from it, it’s time to regrade. Building up the soil around your home’s walls helps direct water away from the foundation, reducing the risk of seepage.

According to Energy.gov, the ground should slope at least 5 inches over the first 10 feet away from the house. For best results, use fill soil with a clay content of 20 to 30 percent, which helps repel water. Beneath this, include a layer of free-draining soil to assist with proper drainage. This strategic layering not only protects your foundation but also enhances the overall effectiveness of any exterior or interior waterproofing efforts.

DIY vs Professional Waterproofing

When thinking about ways to keep water out of your home, you have two choices: do it yourself (DIY) or hire a professional.

DIY is cheaper and good for small fixes like sealing cracks or putting in window wells and gutters. But you need to do your homework, get the right tools, and have some skills to do it right.

On the other hand, hiring a professional costs more, but they know what they’re doing and have special tools. They can find hidden water problems, set up systems like French drains, and fix big foundation issues.

You might need them if the problem is bad, your house structure is at risk, or if the law says you need a certified job.

Picking between DIY and hiring someone depends on how big the job is, how much money you have, what tools and skills you need, and how good you are at fixing things.

Regular Maintenance and Inspection Schedule

Inspections and maintenance are key to keeping your home safe from water damage. By checking for water problems regularly, you can fix them before they get worse.

Here are important tasks to do:

• Foundation Check (Every Month): Look at the walls in your basement or foundation. Check for cracks, wet spots, or white powder (called efflorescence). These can mean water is getting in.
• Gutters and Drains (Every 3 Months): Clean out gutters and downspouts. Make sure water flows away from your house.
• Roof Check (Twice a Year): Look at the roof. Check the shingles, the metal parts called flashing, and vents to make sure everything is okay.
• Waterproofing Systems (Every Year): Have a professional check things like sump pumps, French drains, and outside drainage to make sure they’re working right.