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Tips on Waterproofing basement walls

Insulation of the basement

It’s tempting to try to solve moisture problems in basements with a coating on its inside walls. It’s easy and often less expensive. But most of the times this isn’t a solution at all. The source of humidity will remain and it will show itself sooner or later, deteriorating the implemented insulation system or other elements of the basement.

Waterproofing and insulation must be obtained by removing and controlling the sources of the moisture.

How to solve moisture problems

The best approach to waterproof a basement and to solve moisture problems is…

1 - to remove possible interior moisture sources;
2 – to evaluate the gutters, downspouts and fix their eventual problems and insufficiencies;
3 – to install a surface drainage system around the house;

And only after these three phases, if moisture persists…
4 – to proceed with insulation on the inside/outside of the basement and drainage.

In many cases the first three types of work are enough and the insulation isn’t necessary. But in rainy climates and in buildings without any ground insulation or drainage, or with clearly old, insufficient and deteriorated systems, insulation is the only solution to fix the basement humidity problems.

Indoor sources of moisture

There are several possible indoor sources of moisture in basements, and they should be eliminated before any other. Some of these sources may involve the basement itself, but others concern other parts of the house. Clothes dryers, stoves, kerosene heaters and other appliances are among these sources, when they aren’t properly vented to the outdoors.

See for tips and details:
Internal sources of humidity.

Outside sources of moisture

Water from snow and rain are obviously an element that should be controlled, since it is a common and powerful source of humidity in basements. Surface drainage of the water through a sloped ground, and an evaluation of the gutters and downspouts are essential steps to waterproof a basement.

See, for tips :
Drainage, gutters, downspouts

When to proceed with insulation of the basement

Once 1) interior moisture sources are eliminated, 2) the gutters and downspouts eventual problems fixed, and a 3) eventual limitations of surface drainage system around the house overcome, if the moisture persists you should 4) proceed with insulation and drainage.

Ground sources of moisture

Foundations with water leakage and damp foundation walls and leaps in them demand insulation from the outside. Surface drainage and other measures above ground or inside the basement aren't enough to eliminate moisture.

In these cases insulate on the outside and inside of the basement is crucial.

Insulate on the inside

Insulate on the inside of the basement can be an easy and cheap solution to moisture, though many times insufficient, even after fixing eventual interior moisture sources, or after solving eventual gutter, downspouts and surface drainage problems.

See, for tips:
Interior wall insulation of the basement

Insulate on the outside: waterproofing the basement

Insulate on the outside of the basement is usually a better solution than insulating just on the inside. Exterior insulation involves excavating around the foundation and damp-proofing and installing rigid insulation. Flashing and a protective covering should also be installed.

See, for tips:
Exterior insulation of basement walls