Basement waterproofing is an important step for any homeowner or house flipper. When it’s done properly and with high-quality materials, it can prevent the growth of mold and mildew, and go a long way in preserving the integrity of the home’s foundation. However, far too many choose the DIY approach and use waterproof paints or wall coatings – an approach that often fails. Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing in Stow, OH, serves customers throughout northeast Ohio. Here, they explain why you should avoid these do-it-yourself products and instead place your trust in a basement waterproofing professional.
The Problems with Waterproof Paints and Wall Coatings
To fully understand the issues with these products, it helps to understand their composition. Waterproof paints and wall coatings are sold at home improvement centers everywhere, and they generally are comprised of a latex or oil base. Due to the organic materials these products contain, preventing mold from growing on walls and surfaces cannot be guaranteed.
Waterproof paints and wall coating manufacturers also make claims that often turn out to be false, such as the ability to mitigate moisture penetration and fully waterproof a basement. The products can seep into porous concrete surfaces, but they cannot travel deeply enough into the walls to provide a long-term waterproofing solution. Plus, over time, moisture will continue to accumulate behind the foundation walls, and these paints and coatings tend to flake or peel off within just a few months.
In addition, many of these products promise that they can withstand continuous pressure. However, they can typically only withstand a pressure per square inch (psi) of between eight and 12 pounds. By comparison, this is about four times less than the continuous psi of a washing machine hose – not the best measure of performance when it comes to waterproofing your basement.
Finding More Effective Solutions
Instead of opting for a lower-quality product with a fast turnaround time, homeowners and sellers should invest in the assistance of a professional waterproofing service. At Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, our basement waterproofing solutions more than make up for the shortcomings of waterproof paints and wall coatings. Instead of simply coating the walls with a subpar product, our waterproofing techniques feature interior and exterior barriers that keep water out of and away from the home’s basement and foundation, such as:
- Waterproofing layer: Our team applies a top-grade solution to the basement’s interior and exterior walls. We highly recommend applying it to the floors as well to prevent water from seeping inside from the ground below.
- Wall barriers and piping systems: We eliminate water infiltration with the installation of physical wall barriers, such as a plastic membrane or another solution. This approach also requires a piping system to be built, which channels water away from the home and into sewer systems.
- Perimeter drains and sump pumps: Because water can infiltrate a basement’s floor, perimeter drains, also known as French drains, direct the water into a basin and pumping system, known as a sump pump. These solutions lead water into the main sewage system.
Get Professional Waterproofing Advice
To learn more about tackling your basement waterproofing project with our fully licensed, bonded, and insured team of professionals, contact Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing in Northeast Ohio.
