Understanding Role Of Basement Wall Sealer In A Home’s Protection

By Author: Larry Chandler
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If you have a basement in your home then you are most likely concerned with preventing a buildup of moisture. Most of the dampness that appears in basements actually comes through the walls. Some of the prime areas for allowing water in are leaks around windows, cracks in the walls and condensation that collects on pipes. If the water builds up over an extended time it can lead to some problems. Many people look to a basement wall sealer and waterproofing options in order to keep the water out.


Ways of Keeping out Moisture


Hollow Baseboards – A hollow baseboard is applied at the point where the wall and floor meet. The baseboard will channel water as it appears to a sump pump.


Sump Pump – This type of pump will normally be placed inside a tank beneath the actual floor of the basement. Along with pumping out the water that is funneled by the hollow baseboard system the pump can also remove water that is near the tank. In addition, because of the pump’s location, it can be used in conjunction with a drain located in the floor.


French ...
... drain system – this is a system of drainage pipes that are located under the floor of the basement in order to collect water in the ground as well as water that seeps into the walls. The system is placed on the inside portion of the perimeter walls. Like the hollow baseboards the French drain most commonly is attached to a sump pump to remove the water.


Basement wall sealer – There are several types of penetrating concrete sealers available from local hardware stores. These items can be applied by a roller or brush in order to waterproof the walls against seepage.


Waterproofing Versus a Drain


A drain system is important in keeping water from getting to the walls and floors of a basement but preventing water in the first place is the job of a basement wall sealer. These types of sealers are formulated to stop water from getting through the walls regardless of the conditions such as a spring thaw or strong rain storm. The contents of the waterproofing product are often adaptable to shifts in the wall that can occur with foundation settlement.


Beyond the ability to keep out water a good basement wall sealer will be friendly to the environment. Look for a product that has a water base without oil or solvents. This will prevent any health hazards to you, your loved ones or pets.


Applying the Sealer


Applying the sealer is a basic task that can be accomplished by most people. The basement wall sealer is a liquid making it easy to spray on the walls using a pump type spray can. This makes the work move by quickly. If you prefer a more in depth approach then you may choose to apply the sealer with a roller or a paint brush.


Keeping out water will help keep a basement comfortable without a doubt. It will also prevent costly damage and improve the investment you have made in purchasing a home.

Larry Chandler is a freelance writer for Deco Sealers a provider of basement wall sealer and penetrating concrete sealers. Check out their site to see their products and learn more about their company at Decosealers.com.