How to Waterproof Foundation? Materials, Guide, Cost, Time, and Products

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

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

Choose Tools and Materials for Foundation Waterproofing
Identify the Water Leaking Areas Inside the Foundation
Choose the Suitable Foundation Waterproofing Method and Drainage System
Clean the Foundation Wall
Seal the Cracks on the Foundation Using Primer
Install the Waterproofing Membrane on the Foundation Wall
Build a Drainage System Around the Foundation Perimeter
Install the Sump Pump in the Foundation Sump Basin

After the foundation waterproofing is over, you should use a sealant or coating to protect the foundation waterproofing layer.

The time and the cost are the most important factors of the house foundation waterproofing project. You should reduce the duration and the cost of the foundation waterproofing project in order to save money and prevent the environmental effects. You can reduce the foundation waterproofing time by paying attention to the weather conditions, hiring professionals, using quality materials, proper planning, and using advanced techniques.

In order to reduce the cost of foundation waterproofing, you can do it yourself, get quotes from different companies, use cost-effective materials, do regular maintenance, and prevent the water damage in the house.

What are the 8 Steps for Foundation Waterproofing

These are the 8 steps for foundation waterproofing

Choose Tools and Materials for Foundation Waterproofing
Identify the Water Leaking Areas Inside the Foundation
Choose the Suitable Foundation Waterproofing Method and Drainage System
Clean the Foundation Wall
Seal the Cracks on the Foundation Using Primer
Install the Waterproofing Membrane on the Foundation Wall
Build a Drainage System Around the Foundation Perimeter
Install the Sump Pump in the Foundation Sump Basin

1. Choose Tools and Materials for Foundation Waterproofing

Foundation waterproofing needs proper tools and materials in order to install a durable waterproofing membrane on the foundation walls. If you are a DIY enthusiast, you should know the purpose of each tool and material.

Essential Tools for Foundation Waterproofing

Safety equipment - PPE equipment, safety glasses, boots, gloves and helmets
Crack repair kits for foundation waterproofing - Crack repair kits are used to clean the cracks, joints, and holes on the foundation walls.
Hammer drills, drivers, tapes, and cutting tools - These tools are used for drilling, driving, and cutting purposes during the foundation waterproof installing.
Vapor barriers - Vapor barriers are used to prevent moisture from reaching the foundation.
Caulking gun - Caulking gun is used to apply caulk, sealant, or adhesive in sealing joints or filling cracks in the foundation.
Trowel - A trowel is used to apply and smooth waterproofing materials like cementitious products or coatings onto the foundation walls.
French drains - French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain away from the foundation.

Essential Materials for Foundation Waterproofing

Waterproofing Membrane - Sheet waterproofing membrane or liquid waterproofing membranes act as a main water barrier to prevent water from leaking into the foundation. The most used waterproofing membranes are cementitious waterproofing, bituminous waterproofing, acrylic waterproofing, EPDM, and PVC membranes.
Concrete Sealers - Concrete sealers are used to seal the concrete surfaces to prevent water absorption.
Foundation Coating - Foundation coating is a waterproof coating applied to the exterior foundation walls to prevent water penetration.
Waterproofing Paint - Foundation paint is a special type of paint that is used to waterproof the interior of the foundation walls.
Grout - Grout is used to fill gaps or seal joints in the foundation.
Waterproofing Primer - Waterproofing primer is applied before the waterproofing paint. It helps the paint adhere better to the surface and provides an extra layer of water resistance.

2. Identify the Water Leaking Areas Inside the Foundation

Foundation water problems arise from water leaks, moisture, and humidity production. Before starting foundation waterproofing, you should identify the water, moisture and vapour leaking areas and damaged areas for a successful waterproofing layer.

You can identify the water-leaking areas inside the foundation using the signs and methods below.

Wet spots or dampness on the foundation walls
Musty odour in the foundation
Cracks in the foundation walls
Powdered substances on the foundation walls
Water stains on the foundation walls
High humidity level in the basement
Mold growth in the foundation walls
Foundation flooding
Warping doors and windows

3. Choose the Suitable Foundation Waterproofing Method and Drainage System

The foundation waterproofing method should be chosen to the application comfort, environmental condition, foundation surface condition, level of expertise and available resources. Foundation waterproofing methods are mainly two types: Sheet membrane foundation waterproofing, and liquid membrane foundation waterproofing. Building a drainage system in the foundation is essential if the water impact is high.

Sheet membrane foundation waterproofing - Sheet membrane foundation waterproofing are mostly used for the exterior foundation wall waterproofing. You can use bituminous waterproofing membranes, EPDM, PVC, and HDPE sheet waterproofing membranes on the outside foundation waterproofing.
Liquid membrane foundation waterproofing - Liquid membrane foundation waterproofing is mostly used for the interior foundation waterproofing membrane. You can use cementitious waterproofing, acrylic, and polyurethane waterproofing as liquid waterproofing on the foundation walls.
Drainage system for foundation - The drainage system in the foundation should be chosen according to the water impact on the foundation wall. An exterior drainage system is essential for the high-water impact areas while an interior drainage system is suitable for less water impact areas.

4. Clean the Foundation Wall

Foundation wall cleaning is removing any dirt, debris, loose particles and existing deteriorated waterproofing coating on the foundation waterproofing surface. Foundation wall cleaning helps to identify the condition of the foundation wall, cracks, joints and holes. Foundation wall cleaning increases the adhesiveness between the waterproofing membrane and the wall surface.

You should clean the interior foundation wall for inside waterproofing and the exterior foundation walls for outside dampproofing.

Interior foundation wall cleaning - You should clean the interior foundation wall by using a power washer, wire brush, scrub brush, scaper and squeegee.
Exterior foundation wall cleaning - Exterior foundation wall cleaning should be done after removing the soil around the foundation up to the basement floor level. You can use an excavation machine power washer, wire brush, scrub brush, scaper and squeegee for the outside foundation cleaning.

5. Seal the Cracks on the Foundation Using Primer

After cleaning the foundation walls, you should seal the cracks, joints, and holes in the foundation wall to prevent further water damage. Waterproof primers can fill the space in the cracks and seal the cracking area to prevent further water leakage into the foundation..

You can use below foundation waterproofing sealants as primers.

Concrete sealers - Concrete sealers form an impermeable layer that prevents such materials from passing.
Silicate sealers - Silicate sealers soak in and chemically react with the surface to form a hard, waterproof surface.
Acrylic sealers - Acrylic sealers form a thin protective film on the surface of the foundation.
Epoxy sealers - Epoxy sealers provide excellent water-repellent properties and are resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
Polyurethane sealers - Polyurethane sealers form a thin layer on the surface. It provides excellent water repellency and is highly resistant to abrasion and chemicals.
Rubberized sealers - Rubberized sealers are flexible, durable, and water-resistant, making them ideal for sealing cracks in foundations. They fill in the crack and create a waterproof barrier.
Bituminous Coating - Bituminous coating is used for a waterproofing and flexible protective coat in accordance with its formulation and polymerization grade. Its flexible protective coating is excellent in resistance to most aggressive environments.

After priming is done, you should install the waterproofing membrane on the foundation walls.

6. Install the Waterproofing Membrane on the Foundation Wall

After the primer is applied, you should install the waterproofing membrane on the foundation wall. The installation method is varied with the selected waterproofing membrane, surface condition and environmental condition. When you install a waterproofing membrane on the foundation wall you should follow the below steps.

Check the quality and compatibility of the foundation waterproofing product.
Check the foundation wall preparation.
Follow the manufacturer’s methodology for applying the waterproofing product.
Wait until curing the waterproofing membrane
Pay attention of climate while foundation waterproofing
Hire an expert if possible
Cover the area properly on the foundation wall

7. Build a Drainage System Around the Foundation Perimeter

Building a drainage system around the foundation perimeter is essential if the water seeps and leaks at a higher rate. A drainage system in the foundation should be built with a small inclination to the sump basin. Then the seeped water can accumulate in the sump basin. After the sump basin is filled, water can pump out away from the basement. A foundation drainage system can control the basement flooding and water table height near the foundation wall.

You can build two drainage systems in the foundation as below.

Building an Inside Foundation Drainage System

Also known as an interior French drain, this system is designed to move water that has already made its way into your basement or crawl space. It involves cutting a channel around the perimeter of the basement floor, installing a perforated drain pipe, and then covering it with new cement. The water enters the system, gets collected in the drain pipe, and is then directed to a sump pump that pushes the water out of your house.

Building an Outside Drainage System

Also known as an exterior French drain or footing drain, this system prevents water from ever reaching your basement. It involves digging a trench around your house at footing level, installing a perforated drain pipe and filling the trench with gravel. This system captures water before it can enter your basement and diverts it away from your foundation.

8. Install the Sump Pump in the Foundation Sump Basin

A sump pump is a submersible pump that is installed in the foundation sump basin in order to pump out the accumulated water from the French drainage system. Before installing the sump pump you should consider its pumping rate and operational frequency to prevent basement flooding.

How to Reduce the Foundation Waterproofing Time?

You can reduce the foundation waterproofing time by paying attention to the weather conditions, hiring professionals, using quality materials, proper planning, and using advanced techniques.

Pay attention to the weather conditions before starting foundation waterproofing - You should plan the foundation waterproofing work during a dry season or period. Because wet or damp conditions can slow down the process and affect the effectiveness of the waterproofing.
Hire an expert for foundation waterproofing - Foundation waterproofing experts have the experience and knowledge to carry out the task quickly and efficiently in a minimum time period.
Use Quality Materials for foundation waterproofing - Using high-quality materials for foundation waterproofing provides better protection and a faster and easier application process.
Plan the foundation waterproofing properly - Before starting the foundation waterproofing, you should plan the scope of the work, the materials needed, and the steps to be taken.
Use Advanced Techniques for Foundation Waterproofing - Using modern waterproofing techniques for foundation waterproofing can save both time and money. As well as these techniques can also improve the installing comfort.

How to Reduce the Cost of Foundation Waterproofing?

The cost of foundation waterproofing is for the material and labor. Material cost can be varied with the quality, quantity and availability of the material, while labor cost is varied with the expertness. In order to reduce the cost of foundation waterproofing, you can do it yourself, get quotes from different companies, using cost-effective materials, do regular maintenance, and prevent water damage in the house.

Do It Yourself (DIY) foundation waterproofing - You can do simple foundation waterproofing yourself. It will save labor cost.
Get quotes from different foundation waterproofing companies: Get quotes from multiple waterproofing companies near you because foundation waterproofing prices is varied with the service. You can save money by asking few quotes and hiring them.
Use cost-effective foundation materials: Some waterproofing materials are more affordable than others. For example, a concrete waterproofing membrane may be more affordable than other types of waterproofing. However, make sure not to compromise on quality as this could lead to more costs in the future.
Regular maintenance of foundation waterproofing - Regularly maintaining your foundation can prevent major issues that require costly repairs. This includes checking for and repairing small cracks, keeping the area around your foundation clear of debris, and ensuring your gutters and downspouts are directing water away from your foundation.
Prevent the water damage in the foundation - The best way to reduce waterproofing costs is to prevent water damage in the first place. This can be achieved by proper grading around your home, installing a sump pump, and ensuring your gutters and downspouts are working properly.

How Does Aqviz Help to Reduce the Foundation Waterproofing Cost?

Aqviz is a free waterproofing consultation service. It includes a detailed guide about foundation waterproofing that can guide you to do your foundation waterproofing yourself (DIY), including tools, recommended materials, labors, and free instructions. This can save money by choosing the right material and completing the project on time without delay. You can connect with our team to optimize the project and recommend products and services.

Aqviz includes helpful content about basement waterproofing also. Because basement waterproofing is similar to the foundation waterproofing. You can waterproof your basement step by step by using the guide "How to waterproof the basement?" This guide includes an interior basement, exterior basement, drainage system building, and basement protection in-detail