What to Know About Foundation Waterproofing?

What is the Definition of Foundation Waterproofing?

The definition of Foundation waterproofing is the process of applying a waterproof membrane, a sealant, or a coating on the foundation wall of a house to prevent moisture or water leakage into the basement. Foundation waterproofing consists of interior foundation wall waterproofing, exterior foundation wall waterproofing, and drainage system building.

You can use sheet membranes and liquid membranes for foundation waterproofing. The main purpose of foundation waterproofing is to keep the foundation dry and free from water and moisture. You can do foundation waterproofing as a DIY project or hire an expert.

What are the 7 Signs that the Foundation Needs Waterproofing?

When you see any of the following 7 signs from your foundation, it can be a strong signal that you should waterproof your foundation.

1. Visible cracks in foundation walls: When you see hairline cracks (less than 1 mm) may be cosmetic, but widening gaps or stair-step cracks allow groundwater to seep in, leading to structural deterioration over time.
2. Damp or musty smell in the home: When you smell a persistent earthy odor signals trapped moisture and possible mold colonies thriving behind walls or foundation.
3. Water stains on foundation or basement walls: When you see brownish tide marks or efflorescence (white powdery salt deposits) on foundation walls indicates water movement through concrete pores over time.
4. Peeling paint or blistering plaster: When you see peeling paint or blistering on the foundation wall, it can be the result of hydrostatic pressure from soil moisture pushing through the walls. So you should install a waterproofing membrane on foundation walls.
5. Pooling water near the foundation exterior: If there is a pooling water near the foundation, it can be the result of poor grading, clogged gutters, or damaged downspouts.
6. Warped or rotting wooden frames near the base: When you observe any warped wood, rotting wood, or frames near the foundation can be a result of prolonged water exposure in the foundation area.
7. Uneven or sinking floors above the foundation: Uneven or sinking floors indicate that saturated soil near the foundation loses load-bearing capacity, causing parts of the structure to settle unevenly. This requires waterproofing the foundation to protect it from unwanted water.

What are the 2 types of Foundation Waterproofing

Foundation waterproofing is mainly of 2 types, such as exterior foundation waterproofing and interior foundation waterproofing.

What is Exterior Foundation Waterproofing?

Waterproofing the foundation wall from the outside, also known as exterior foundation waterproofing. It is a method of protecting basement or foundation walls from water damage. This process involves excavating the soil around the house down to the foundation wall footer, cleaning and inspecting the exterior foundation walls, repairing any cracks or damage, and then applying a waterproofing membrane or material to prevent water from penetrating the walls.

The purpose of waterproofing the foundation wall from the outside is to prevent water infiltration, which can lead to a variety of problems such as structural damage, mold growth, and basement flooding. It is a preventative measure that can save homeowners a lot of money in potential repairs and increase the value of their homes. It also helps in maintaining a dry, healthy, and safe living environment.

6 Benefits of exterior foundation waterproofing

1. Blocks water before it reaches the foundation walls
2. Reduces hydrostatic pressure on the foundation
3. Prevents cracks and structural damage
4. Increases property lifespan and value
5. Protects both interior and exterior from moisture intrusion
6. A successful solution than interior foundation waterproofing

What is Interior Foundation Waterproofing?

Waterproofing a foundation wall from the inside is a process used to prevent water or moisture from seeping into the interior of a building from its foundation. It involves the application of waterproof material or sealant to the interior surface of the foundation walls.

The main purpose of waterproofing a foundation wall from the inside is to prevent water damage to the interior of the building. This can include preventing the growth of mold and mildew, protecting the structural integrity of the building, and maintaining the health and safety of the occupants. It can also help to prevent basement flooding and protect belongings stored in these areas.

5 Benefits of interior foundation waterproofing

1. Easy to reach and install the waterproofing membrane
2. Less costly than exterior foundation waterproofing
3. Consumes minimum labor, cost, and time
4. Easy to repair and maintain
5. Can be applied to both new and older foundations

What 4 Types of Foundations You Should Waterproof?

You should waterproof these types of foundations that are made of concrete, brick, Insulated Concrete Form, and rubble foundations.

1. Concrete foundation waterproofing: You should waterproof the concrete foundation in order to prevent water and moisture from leaking from cracks, joints, and holes in the foundation wall. You can use bentonite clay waterproofing membranes, cementitious waterproofing membranes, bituminous waterproofing membranes, epoxy crack injection sheet membranes, and elastomeric waterproofing membranes for concrete foundation waterproofing.
2. Brick foundation waterproofing: Brick foundation is well known as a block foundation and should be waterproofed in order to prevent water leakage through brick and mortar joints, cracks, and holes in the foundation. You can waterproof the brick foundation by using a combination of methods, including the application of a waterproofing membrane, installing a French drain system, and using waterproofing paint.
3. ICF foundation waterproofing: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) foundations should be waterproofed in order to prevent absorption from the concrete pores. Because ICF foundations absorb the water from the surrounding soil through the porosity of the concrete. You can use rubberized asphalt membranes, thermoplastic waterproofing membranes, bentonite clay membranes, and sheet membranes for waterproofing the ICF foundations.
4. Rubble foundation waterproofing: Rubble foundations can be difficult to waterproof due to their irregular shape. You can waterproof the rubble foundation by using a combination of methods, such as applying a waterproofing membrane, installing a French drain system, and sealing any cracks or gaps with a waterproof sealant. You can use  Bituminous membranes,  Cementitious waterproofing membranes, Liquid waterproofing membranes, Rubberized asphalt membranes, or Thermoplastic membranes, such as PVC or TPO, which are heat-welded at the seams and highly resistant to a variety of environmental conditions.

Concrete foundations are the most commonly used foundation type for homes. Hence, it should be waterproof as soon as possible after you build. A newly constructed foundation is easy to waterproof, while an old foundation is difficult. The most difficult foundation type to waterproof is rubble foundation, which is mostly found in old houses.

How to Waterproof Foundation?

You can waterproof the foundation by using these 8 steps. Foundation waterproofing is a combination process of material selection, leak identification, membrane selection, foundation wall surface cleaning, crack sealing, membrane installation, drainage system building, sump pump installation, and waterproof layer protection. Each of these processes should be done step by step as follows.

8 Steps for Foundation Waterproofing

1. Choose tools and materials for foundation waterproofing.
2. Identify the water-leaking areas inside the foundation
3. Choose a suitable foundation waterproofing method and drainage system
4. Clean the foundation wall
5. Seal the foundation cracks using primer
6. Install the waterproofing membrane on the foundation wall
7. Build a drainage system around the foundation perimeter
8. Install the sump pump in the foundation sump basin

Related Topic: How to Waterproof Exterior Foundation Walls?

What Products Can I Use for Foundation Waterproofing?

You can use both liquid and sheet membrane waterproofing products for foundation waterproofing. These are the most commonly used foundation waterproofing products.

1. Blue Max Liquid Rubber Membrane
2. MEL-ROL Waterproofing Membrane
3. Drylok Extreme Masonry Waterproofer
4. RedGard Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane
5. Hydro Ban Waterproofing Membrane
6. SikaProof A Edge Sheet Membrane
7. Super Thoroseal Waterproof Coating
8. KERDI Waterproofing Membrane
9. Volclay Panels
10. Bituthene 3000 Waterproofing Membrane

How Much Does Foundation Waterproofing Cost?

The average size foundation (500-1500 square feet with of 8 feet) costs between $4000-$5000 for waterproofing. For minor repairs such as sealing cracks and installing a sump pump, the cost can range from $2,000 to $6,000. For more extensive repairs like installing an interior drainage system or exterior waterproofing, the cost can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.

How Long Does It Take to Waterproof a Foundation?

For minor repairs, such as sealing small cracks, foundation waterproofing can be completed within 1 – 2 days. For more extensive repairs, like installing an interior or exterior drainage system, it could take several 5 – 7 days. If the foundation needs to be excavated for repairs, it could take several weeks. Weather conditions can also affect the timeline. Always check with your contractor for an accurate timeline.

How to Protect Foundation Waterproofing?

Foundation waterproofing should be protected in order to have a durable and higher-performance waterproofing layer on the foundation wall. If the foundation waterproofing is damaged, it can cause water to leak into the basement. This can be used to increase the dampness, mold, and mildew growth, and structural damage on the walls. Therefore, you should protect the foundation wall as below.

1. Install a sump pump below the foundation level.
2. Apply waterproofing sealants on the waterproofing membrane on the foundation walls.
3. Ensure proper drainage systems around the perimeter of the foundation
4. Regular maintenance and inspectionInstall a French drain system around the perimeter of the foundation
5. Use of water-resistant paints and primers on the foundation walls.

How Can a Waterproof Foundation Get Damaged?

A waterproof foundation can be damaged due to the following 7 reasons.

1. Poor drainage system
2. Tree roots growing into the foundation
3. Soil erosion or shifting
4. Incorrect installation of waterproofing measures
5. Natural disasters like earthquakes and floods
6. Poor construction materials or techniques
7. Lack of regular maintenance and inspections

When a Foundation waterproofing system gets damaged, it causes water to leak inside the foundation, and it can cause negative effects of foundation damage, including structural instability, decreased property value, and potential safety hazards.

If the foundation waterproofing is damaged, you should know how to waterproof the foundation again, step by step.

What is Foundation Damproofing?

Foundation dampproofing is installing water-protective layers on the outside of the foundation in order to control the liquid water seeping from the soil. You can use bituminous waterproofing membranes, coatings, and sealants for foundation damproofing. Foundation damproofing controls the water in the soil. But it does not control the moisture in the soil. Hence damproofed foundation should be waterproofed in order to control moisture.

You should build a proper drainage system to control the water outside of the foundation. Hence, you can use sheet membranes, French drainage, sump pump for damproofing the foundation.