6 Ways to Prevent Water in Your Basement

1. Vapor Barrier

Due to a basement’s location underground (where water drains after rain or snow), a vapor barrier is critical for defending against water intrusion.

Vapor barriers are like a protective raincoat for your basement. They are installed on your basement walls and literally stop moisture from seeping in. By keeping the walls dry, they help prevent water damage and mold growth in your basement.

AquaGuard offers the AquaStop WallSeal™, a seven-layer, puncture and moisture-resistant polyethylene vapor barrier. This specialized barrier not provides superior protection and connects seamlessly perimeter drainage and sump pump systems.

The bonus? It inhibits mold growth and excessive moisture accumulation.

As a cherry on top, the AquaStop WallSeal™ provides a neat, white finish to your basement walls. Vapor barriers of any kind are a great solution for protecting your basement from water and making the space more inviting.

2. Perimeter Drains

Imagine rainwater seeping into your basement from walls and floors. Instead of allowing this water to build up and cause damage, a perimeter drain system catches it. These drains run along the edges of your basement, acting like a gutter system, but inside your basement.

Once this water is caught, it’s directed to a special pump, called a sump pump. The job of the sump pump is to push the water out and away from your home. This keeps your basement dry and safe.

In short, AquaGuard’s interior perimeter drain, called BasementGutter™, pus water back in it’s place. It’s a simple, yet effective system that constantly works below the surface to protect your home.

3. Sump Pump

Sump pumps are typically nestled within a specially designed hole, known as a “sump pit,” at the lowest point of your basement.

If any water leaks into your basement—whether it be from rain, melting snow, or ground water—it naturally flows to the lowest point. Just like a basin collecting dripping water, the sump pit gathers this leaking water.

As soon as the water level in the pit rises to a certain point, the sump pump mechanism springs into action. It swiftly sucks up the water from the pit and pushes it through a pipe that leads away from your house.

This ensures the water doesn’t get a chance to pool around your home’s foundation or sneak back into your basement. AquaGuard installs sump pump systems with backup batteries to ensure the pump stays working no matter the conditions.

4. Basement Dehumidifier

Just as a sponge absorbs water from a spill, a basement dehumidifier takes in damp, humid air. Inside the dehumidifier, this air comes into contact with cooling coils. These coils chill the air down, similar to how a cold glass of lemonade sweats on a hot day, causing the moisture in the air to condense into droplets.

These water droplets then collect into a tank within the dehumidifier, much like a bucket catching rainwater from a leak in the roof. The now dry air is reheated to room temperature and released back into the basement, making the space drier and less conducive to mold growth and water damage.

In essence, a dehumidifier continuously mops up the excess moisture in your basement, ensuring it stays dry and comfortable. This makes it an invaluable tool in your basement waterproofing strategy.

5. Gutter System

Gutters serve a crucial role in preventing basement water problems by managing rainwater runoff from your roof.

When it rains, water flows down the roof and into the gutters. The gutters act as channels, collecting this water and leading it towards the downspouts attached at the corners of your house.

The key function of the gutters and downspouts is to direct this water away from the base of your home. By doing this, they prevent water from accumulating around your house’s foundation, a common cause of basement water issues.

Essentially, a well-maintained gutter system helps keep your basement dry by controlling where rainwater goes, ensuring it doesn’t collect next to your basement and cause wall cracks or leaking.

6. Wall Repair

Basement water likes to find its way in through wall cracks, but solutions like wall anchors, I-beam wall repair, carbon fiber reinforcement, and pier systems keep walls stable.

Wall anchors and I-beam systems bolster your basement walls, warding off soil pressure that can cause cracks or bowing – common pathways for water leaks. They not only mend existing problems but also prevent further damage.

Carbon fiber reinforcement strengthens your walls, halting crack progression and thus preventing leaks. Meanwhile, pier systems work underground, reducing home settling and foundation cracks that can lead to leaks.

Together, these systems create a strong barrier against basement water, ensuring your walls are protected from cracks for a long-lasting, worry-free home.