Wet basement? Here's how to waterproof

Basement waterproofing is no joke. Whether it's a soaked finished basement, or an unfinished basement with persistent leaks, water in the basement presents an immediate and stressful problem. You should quickly hire a waterproofing professional to address the issue.

But you'll find there are a variety of choices in basement waterproofing repairs or systems designed to tackle the problem, as well as opinions about which one is the most effective.

First up, a professional basement waterproofer should determine how the water is getting in. No waterproofing method helps if it's addressing the wrong thing.

If you're noticing water in your basement, investigating the solution should start outside your home. Make sure all your home's gutters, downspouts or other drainage systems are working effectively and diverting water away from the home.

The grade of soil around the foundation should encourage water to flow away from exterior walls, not toward them. Make sure mulch beds near the house aren't piled too high. These steps can prevent a flooded basement before it ever happens.

Even if you take all these steps, though, excessive rain or groundwater pressure can still push water into your basement, and that's where waterproofing systems come in.

What basement waterproofing system should you get? Experts all agree that one size does not fit all for basement waterproofing. Every situation is unique, and the solution should be tailored to the job. Often, a combination of approaches is necessary.

Crack injections: This repair approach is generally only suitable for poured concrete foundations where seepage is originating from the walls (and not floors). Masonry foundations, such as brick, stone or cinder block, are not ideal candidates. Injecting an epoxy or polyurethane material into a crack can help prevent water from entering the basement, but some basement waterproofing companies regard this solution as a temporary fix and not a permanent solution.

Exterior excavation: Exterior waterproofing involves excavating 6 to 8 feet down to the foundation wall footer and correcting drainage by installing new drainage tiles or a French drain system. Due to the extensive excavation required, exterior basement waterproofing is often more expensive than other methods. However, it carries the advantage of excluding water from the home and requires little to no ongoing maintenance once the project is complete.