Waterproofing Products are Stop Gap Solutions

Three are no waterproofing products in the world that will prevent your basement from flooding. The only way to really stop flooding in your basement is to construct your basement foundation correctly in the first place. Then you will have no need for waterproofing products are stopgap solutions such as waterproofing membrane. 

The key to installing a basement foundation is to install an excellent drainage system. This means using at least three feet of large washed gravel over the drain tile that is also backfilled with tar or straw. This fluffed up back fill prevents the silt that is carried by water flow from getting caught in the gravel or even worse – the drainage system. 

Another way to minimize your need for waterproofing products is to make sure the ground slopes away from all points of the foundation for at least ½ inch per sloping feet for a minimum distance of ten feet. Another way of keeping water away from the house is to make sure all downspouts and sump discharge pipes are pointed away from the house.

One of the worst things you can do is let water collect at the base of your house. This allows hydrostatic water pressure to build up next to the foundation and cause all kinds of problems. 

Be aware that waterproofing products are like trying to put a band-aid when what is really required is heart surgery. The same goes for waterproofing membrane. Although the waterproofing membrane solution is more effective for holding back floods and leaks it is not going to fix a house that has basic design or architectural problems