What are the Different Types of Home Waterproofing?

Protecting a home from water damage often requires knowing how to use home waterproofing systems, or at least hiring someone who does. It might cost money upfront, but it is very little compared to the amount of money homeowners would have to pay should water damage occur. Therefore, it is important to know the main types of home waterproofing, which typically deal with protecting the foundation from moisture. There are both interior and exterior systems.

Moisture is often found in structures that are rooted underground, such as basements and home foundations. It is possible to protect such areas from water using an interior home waterproofing system, which is meant to create a waterproof membrane that blocks moisture from seeping from the soil into concrete. Such a membrane can actually reach deep into the concrete, not just on the surface, allowing much of the foundation to be protected from moisture. This type of membrane can often be applied to concrete by homeowners, saving them from having to pay for professional waterproofing services. A polymer-based membrane can be applied to the material like paint, with a roller.

Some methods allow foundation waterproofing from the exterior of the home, but most homeowners cannot do them on their own. For example, a French drain is made up of PVC pipes that can direct excess water away from a home's foundation. It is typically buried in a patch of gravel along the foundation wall. Though this home waterproofing system does not sound complicated, it needs to be done correctly to be effective, and would take the typical homeowner a long time to complete. It is also more expensive than interior home waterproofing on average, partially because most homeowners choose to have a professional contractor do the work.

There are also exterior sealants that some homeowners use for their basement or foundation to prevent condensation, spalling, and general excess moisture on the building, especially in areas where it snows during part of the year. Such issues can cause wood to rot and masonry to crack, which can be quite costly to fix. Exterior sealant is typically best applied while the home is being constructed, but can be added later as well. This product alone is not usually the best defense against water damage, but it is an inexpensive start to protecting the home from moisture. In most cases, a combination of interior sealant, exterior sealant, and drainage is the best defense.