Should You Choose Exterior Basement Waterproofing?

From excess humidity and damp walls to pooling water, moisture in your basement leads to a wide variety of problems, including pest infestations, structural damage, and mold growth. The two types of basement waterproofing are interior and exterior, so which option is best? We’re looking at the pros and cons of exterior basement waterproofing to help you determine if it’s the right step to keep your home dry, clean, and healthy.

How Water Enters a Basement

Moisture enters a basement through two means: through the walls and through the floors. The soil against the basement walls holds moisture, and when the soil becomes saturated, the water seeps into the walls through the concrete or block walls. However, most basement walls have a water treatment placed on them to stop water from seeping through.

Water coming up from the floor is much more common due to hydrostatic pressure. Water in the soil can’t seep through moisture-blocked walls, so as the soil expands, it pushes against the entire structure, finding voids. Where the basement floor meets the wall is a “weak point” where the pressure can find release, forcing water up through the cracks and voids at the joint.

How Does Exterior Basement Waterproofing Work?

Exterior basement waterproofing is an involved process in which the soil is dug out from around the basement walls, and a moisture barrier or drain mat is applied, along with a sealant. Around the perimeter of the basement walls, a trench is dug, and a drain with holes in the top is installed, then covered with gravel to minimize the amount of pressure in the soil, followed by a layer of dirt. Water flows through the dirt and gravel and into the drainpipe, where it is carried away from the home.

Interior waterproofing is similar, in that the perimeter of the interior of the basement is excavated, a drain and pump are installed, then covered with gravel then concrete. Water from the walls or the floor enters the drain and is pumped away from the home.

Benefits of Exterior Basement Waterproofing

There are two key benefits to waterproofing the exterior of the basement.

1. It eliminates moisture that originates through the walls.
2. All work is completed outside your home, so there is minimal disruption to your home.

Drawbacks of Outside Waterproofing

Now, let’s look at factors that may make interior waterproofing the right option.

1. Exterior waterproofing doesn’t stop water that seeps upward from under the home.
2. It does not protect your basement from internal leaks, such as washing machine malfunctions or pipe ruptures.

We use a Dual Pressure Relief System that relieves pressure on the concrete walls of the basement and eliminates hydrostatic pressure from building up under your slab. Using this interior system, your basement will be clean, dry, and ready for finishing because all sources of moisture are eliminated.

Schedule an Estimate for Basement Waterproofing in Raleigh

If you would like to learn more about basement waterproofing and get a quote for service, reach out to our team today at [phone] or fill out the form below to get started. In addition to Raleigh, we provide basement and crawl space encapsulation to Apex, Cary, and Wake Forest.