How to do Basement Waterproofing on Your Own

Basement waterproofing can cost you an arm and a leg if you hire a professional contractor. You can save a lot of money if you tackle the project on your own. In fact, it doesn't take a lot of skill to protect your home from water. This article explains how you can do your own basement waterproofing and save money in the process.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waterproofing compound
• Hose
• Mist nozzle
• Stiff brush

1. Remove all paint from your walls before basement waterproofing. If you don't have painted walls, move on to the next step. Otherwise, use a sand blaster or wire brush to get the job done.

2. Mist the walls with a garden hose and a fine mist nozzle. Basement waterproofing compound should be applied to a damp wall, but there should be no standing water. Make sure you see no actual drops.

3. Grab your basement waterproofing mixture. This can be purchased at any home improvement store. Start at the bottom, near the floor, and rub the mixture into the pores of the wall. Use a circular motion to get the job done.

4. Move up the wall slowly and then back down again. The area near the floor typically has the hardest time with seepage because there is more pressure. Make sure your basement waterproofing job is extra good near the floor.

5. Wait until the wall is dry and drench the walls with water. Let this sit and dry over night before moving to the next basement waterproofing step.

6. Repeat steps 2 through 4, making sure you apply more basement waterproofing compound to the bottom of the wall than the top. Of course the entire thing should be covered, but you should always give the ground area more attention.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have cracks in your basement wall, make sure you properly fill them before you begin waterproofing.