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Exterior vs Interior Basement Waterproofing

When it comes to Basement waterproofing options, there are many different systems on the market today. There are two categories basement waterproofing is mostly classified under - Exterior and Interior:

Exterior basement waterproofing is one option for waterproofing a basement. This method relies on a thick tar-like coating and plastic-like material as well as a perimeter (usually a corrugated pipe drain system). This basement waterproofing method needs to be the complete excavation of your home's foundation down to the footer. Most likely, this method of basement waterproofing used to protect the foundation of your home when built. The Exterior drain system can become clogged with silt and roots, causing the drain system not to work correctly. Over time the tar and plastic-like material can also break down, causing it not to work correctly. The drain system commonly can be crushed and or doesn't leach out anywhere.

In many cases, the drain system was installed too high or not in a continuous loop around the foundation. Using the exterior basement waterproofing option means the foundation would need to be completely exposed. Exterior waterproofing option, your home would need to be excavated and exposed down to the footer. The excavation usually involves removing shrubs, flower beds, and trees. In many cases, it could require the removal of walkways, decks, or patios. Exterior basement waterproofing is an expensive, time-consuming process that would need to have heavy equipment involved. Exterior basement waterproofing is invasive, costly, and almost impossible to service it if it does clog. A clogged exterior drain system allows groundwater to accumulate around the footer, increasing the chance that water will leak into the basement. There are some buildings that this method is the best option.

Typically Waters Basement Services, Inc. is contracted by a homeowner because water or moisture has already entered their basement.

Interior basement waterproofing is another option for waterproofing a basement. Interior waterproofing captures water that comes into the basement at the most common points of entry - where the floor and wall meet. Interior drain tile installed by removing an approximately 12 inches wide portion of the concrete floor, thus exposing the bottom of the footer. PVC pipe, stone, and cleanouts are installed with a diverter system to capture wall water as well as groundwater under the basement floor. In a block wall, we drill weep holes at the base of the wall to drain the walls to help make them dryer as well as minimizing the hydrostatic pressure. The PVC pipe is pitched, so the water flowed to a sump basin and pumped out a discharge line using a sump pump of proper horsepower to accommodate the amount of water. By installing special basement wall panels directing any wall water that may enter through the walls down into the drain system. Waters Basement Services, Inc. install cleanouts in all our drain tile jobs so the homeowners can flush their systems with a garden hose. Interior Basement waterproofing is often less costly, and most commonly recommended after the water has entered a basement. Because Waters Basement Services has installed cleanouts in the drain tile, a homeowner can clean or flush their drain tile system.

Please visit our Waterproof Basement Wall Panels service page for more information.