Your home is one of the most expensive investments you’ll ever buy. Right after buying it, you’ll most likely be ecstatic about your achievement. However, homeownership has several challenges, the most common being the responsibility for your home’s maintenance. This is especially true for the basement, which is often prone to becoming wet.
While this as a homeowner is certainly disheartening, you shouldn’t lose hope thanks to interior and exterior waterproofing. This waterproofing won’t be cheap but will ensure you and your family aren’t exposed to health and safety hazards due to rotting, water stains, or mold growth. But what’s the difference between interior and exterior waterproofing? Read on to learn everything about these home waterproofing solutions.
Interior Waterproofing
This waterproofing solution is usually employed once the water has already found its way into your home and is a remedial solution. Interior waterproofing entails re-routing of water outside your home’s basement. Instances that lead to the need for interior waterproofing include crushing the drainage system and pipes placed below the foundation to trap excess groundwater or trap seepage along the walls.
There are two interior waterproofing options and include;
- Use of a sump pump: This interior waterproofing technique involves placing a sump pump at the lowest point of your home’s basement. Consequently, the pump starts to drain water from your basement and into a sump pit, where the water is collected and stored. Once the water reaches a certain level in the sump pit, the pump will stop pumping water into it.
- Use of vapor barriers: It entails placing vapor barriers like foil or plastic sheeting that are waterproof on the walls to prevent the entry of moisture through the diffusion of water vapor.
Exterior Waterproofing
This is a preventative measure designed to avoid the entry of water into your home through the basement, which differentiates it from interior waterproofing. When done correctly, exterior waterproofing guarantees you never have to worry about water in your basement even after a heavy downpour.
Therefore, you should opt for this waterproofing solution if your home is located in an area where water damage is prevalent. This safeguards your foundation from getting destroyed, which in addition to being an added expense, takes up at least a couple of months to be repaired. The process of exterior waterproofing involves digging out the soil surrounding your home to uncover the foundation. Subsequently, apply the waterproofing sealant that’ll prevent the passage of water from the nearby soil into your basement through the walls.
Exterior waterproofing, unlike the interior system, is more extensive. You’ll also need to spend a lot more money on this project because it requires more material and labor to ensure all areas through which water can enter your home’s basement are sealed. With your home’s foundation dry and robust, you never have to worry about water entering your home, hence enjoying peace of mind.
So, Which One Should You Opt For?
Deciding between exterior and interior waterproofing to choose can be confusing for the average homeowner. This is because each has its pros and cons. Therefore, it would be best to contact a professional to see which one is the right choice.
