I would like to know the best applications for a dry basement?

Lona K. Moore
by Lona K. Moore
We will be remodeling our basement soon and I would love to know what to do to make it water tight.
  7 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on Mar 12, 2017

    I found this to be a helpful place to start- http://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-waterproof-basement

  • Kate Baxter Kate Baxter on Mar 12, 2017

    I have a basement crawlspace. It was extremely damp and smelled very bad. A local radio renovation guy recommended 'Basement Systems' website is basement systems.com. I called the fellow and he came out and crawled under my house. He took pictures and used a device to rate humidity. The Humidity in my basement in the middle of summer was 80%. I hired them to do the job for me. It cost me a total of $5000. (Can.) but I also had some additional insulation put in which added about 1500-2000. on to the job. I am so pleased with it. The air is clear. The half basement I have is no longer cold and damp. The area is much much warmer. They leave a space for plumbers and electricians to get in to installations under the house so you don't have to worry about that. If you are not prepared to do the work yourself I highly recommend these guys. It was all done in the space of one day and they prompt, polite and cleaned up the place afterwards.

  • T. Martinelli T. Martinelli on Mar 13, 2017

    You can buy dryloc paint at Lowes an do it yourself.

  • Mary Mary on Mar 14, 2017

    do you have a french drain on the outside next to the wall at the footing. these are meant to direct water away from your house. The dry lock is good but do the right prep and probably take three coats. the drainage outside is the most important.

  • Pjm1128 Pjm1128 on Mar 16, 2017

    There is a few things to consider type of basement wet, what are you planning to use it for den extra bedroom lounge utilities etc.

    For information I will often use InspectAPedia® Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

    The linked section goes into pretty much all the good bad and ugly  http://inspectapedia.com/Energy/Wet_Basement_Prevention.php

    From diy network 10 things about finishing a basement W/pictures

    https://goo.gl/KYCqPX

    Read This before finishing your basement from This old house

    https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/read-you-finish-your-basement

    We have an old house 1910 with a cellar and a field stone foundation. To deal with the dampness use a humidifier, make sure there is proper runoff on the outside of the house and that is about it

    hope this helps

    Peter

  • Dfm Dfm on Apr 05, 2017

    start with an exterior evaluation of your yard. mine is at the bottom of a hill -water was pooling next to the foundation. - the solution was to dig out an area making it lower than the foundation, and about 6-8 feet from the house. big puddle for about a day. the other issue was the concrete patio- to pour a patio slab it has to have a frame. water was getting in where the slab met the house. there is a really runny caulk in a tube that took care of that issue. it also helps to put dirt around the foundation and taper it off into the lawn. nice giant sponge. if your basement is musty, use a dehumidifier. mine runs constantly and has a hose that reaches the storm drain.