An older concrete basement construction can be prone to leaking. If the walls are leaking in your basement, you need to act quickly before too much damage is done. A leaking basement is not habitable and moreover anything you store in your cellar can quickly become permanently damaged by damp and mould. Leaking walls in your basement do not just render your underground space useless; they can lead to structural damage when not treated.
Any organic materials in your basement structure such as wood studs will become quickly compromised by the excess water and damp. Wet rot will set in extremely quickly as a basement is an area with no circulation of air. The musty smell will rise up into your living quarters, and the damp can also rise to levels that will affect your living space.
Concrete Basement Construction : Where do Basement Walls Leak?
The walls of your basement may be leaking from multiple locations. Obvious places to check are pipe penetrations, cracks, and basement windows. Water can however seep through the concrete itself. Older style concrete basement construction will not have been waterproofed and treated in the way new builds are. Do no panic though. Bristol Builders Network can put you in touch with a professional team of basement waterproofing experts who can work to stop water leaking into your cellar.
There are different solutions that can be used to ensure your basement is waterproof. Waterproof paint is probably the easiest of these. This type of special paint will create a vapour barrier, but it will not last for more than a couple of years at the very most. After months or years, depending on the extent of your leak, the paint will start to bubble and peel and mould will quickly grow back.
Some basement contractors prefer to tackle the problem from the outside. A damp-proof coat can be applied to the exterior of your home, but only down to a certain level below ground level. This type of treatment will not last forever. Moreover, it will not bridge cracks that are already present. It is also a very expensive method because your entire garden will need to be excavated in the process.
Basement Wall Paneling
Adding additional wall panels to your basement is an effective way of combating excess moisture. Mechanically attached to your walls, these panels will also improve the aesthetic appeal of your basement. This process should always be carried out professionally. Failure to install paneling correctly will mean mould and damp will get trapped and grow in between the panels and your walls.
The best way to decide what to do with your basement issue is to call in a team of specialists. Without their expertise you can only surmise what the problem is that you have. In certain instances, the leaking and damp come from a problem with the foundations of your home. If this is the case, no amount of paint or paneling will stop water seeping into your home.