How do waterproofing systems work in the basement and what exactly are they? Let’s take a look at the time and tested waterproofing of basement and how it works.

If you imagine how a basement is first built, when the house it is sited in was first conceived, then basically the following happens:

A big hole in the ground is dug, the footer or foundations are laid, the walls of the basement are built and then the rest of the house follows.

From this list the most vital point is the top one - the vast crater dug in the earth
When the walls of the basement are built, there is always a gap left outside the walls which needs to be filled. Loose backfill is what is used to fill this void. The problem here is that water looks for the path of least resistance, and you’ve just given it just that with a huge pile of loose backfill, no matter how well it’s been compacted.

Water will continuously seep into this area. The conventional basement waterproofing system provides some form of drainage pipe for this water to drain away, but the problem with this is that often these pipes get silted up. As the water comes it brings all sorts of suspension with it and that is to be expected as it is natural. Allowing these pipes to fill up, can result in an overload of the system, which can be catastrophic to the basement’s outside walls. So while the walls of the basement may be waterproofed in some way, water, as you probably already know, will usually find a way through the tiniest of gaps.

This kind of situation is persistent because the tubes that should drain the excess water eventually deteriorate.

A lot of the time a huge mistake is made by not providing access to these pipes. Basement waterproofing is also applied to the external walls of the basement to try and keep the water out. This is often referred to as a tanked system.

The drained cavity basement waterproofing system is a better system that works by getting rid of water pressure in the walls. To move water away from your property; it first must be collected and sent through drainage channels to a sump pump or a natural drainage field.

Basement waterproofing systems are superior because they are installed internaly, have easy access ports for removing silt, and can be installed in basements where other methods have failed.

So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:

- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods

Choose a reputable basement waterproofer when protecting your home, remember it is economically foolish not to waterproof, because the increased value from waterproofing will definitely exceed the cost of the waterproofing.

Waterproofing your home is an investment in its value.

Make it easier to start using basement waterproofing systems, quickly & easily. If you wish the the basics and ensure that you have a hassle free and cheap experience, visit As with most companies you can now get information on basement waterproofing systems via an online website.