Almost any type of wall or flooring in your basement has the risk of damage from groundwater. Stone, clay, block or poured walls are not totally safe from deterioration, leaks and cracks. If you regularly use the basement, then it's probably a good idea to begin an interior waterproofing of basement.

The very basic cause of basement leakage is water seeping into the soil around your home's foundations and entering into your basement through cracks and holes. What happens is drainage pipes gradually get clogged by dirt and eventually become ineffective in draining out water. Drainage breakdown occurs and hydrostatic pressure pushes water into your basement.

1. Prevent

To prevent leakage, concentrate on sealing walls and draining water away from the foundation of your home when planning an interior waterproofing of basement. Use silicone caulk or tanking mechanisms to fill in cracks, holes and depressions on walls. Either solution will literally hold water back from your basement walls.

Apart from using sealants for the interior waterproofing of basement, utilize drainage systems. So that water can be effectively pumped and forced out, apply cavity drainage in the linings of your basement walls and flooring. For better results, use the exterior foundation drain, where pumps and electricity is not necessary to drain water out.

Interior waterproofing of basement is useful if you are on a budget. Interior waterproofing is actually more affordable compared to exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing will need excavation and therefore costs so much more.

2. Reduce moisture.

As you probably already know by now, dampness and moisture are major causes of damage in furnishing and walls. It would therefore be best to enhance the protection you already have from sealants and drainage systems. There might come a situation where conditions outside are unusually humid or you are stuck in rainy season. We also cannot see every crack there is in our walls. The point of the matter is we need to understand that more moisture triggers leaks and mold growth.

Strengthen the interior waterproofing of basement that you've already acquired from sealants and drainage systems by reducing moisture. Eliminate carpets, curtains and fabrics as these can trap moisture and encourage molds to grow. Try using materials that have smoother surfaces for your furnishing.

3. Preservation

If your basement still has the same old mold and odor problem, then sealing and draining of water may not be enough. Preserve a drier environment where moisture levels aren't too high. Dry the air by using ventilation and cleaning appliances on a regular basis.

You can use fans, dehumidifiers and air-conditioning to keep the air in the basement dry. Clean these appliances every now and then to avoid condensation.

You can prevent leakage problems from increasing if you start treating them now. Interior waterproofing of basement could actually be a simple task. Just be proactive once you notice the slightest leakage.