If you’ve had to learn the hard way, you now know that waterproofing a foundation is a must. Foundation walls can be waterproofed both inside and out. The floor can also be protected. There are several options to choose from and each will have a different cost. Let’s review several interior basement waterproofing options you can choose from.

Preparation work – Before beginning any project, the area should be prepared so that when you are ready to start the project, you are ready to jump in and finish it; that is if you are going to do the work yourself. When it comes to waterproofing your basement, it’s best to remove everything if you can or at least remove the stuff from all the walls. If you do the latter, move the items far enough so that you can reach each wall without having to fall on anything.

Next, make sure that if there are any cracks or holes, they are sealed and repaired. Also use a broom to remove dirt or cobwebs. You may also want to consider a concrete cleaner to ensure you have a clean surface to start with.

Option 1– Making use of a sealant is an easy and inexpensive method of waterproofing interior basements for any homeowner to use. They are specialized to grab onto the concrete and bind together, thus preventing water from entering the basement. This is a good method; however, it is best used in conjunction with another method. If funds are currently limited, additional processing may be done at a later time.

Option 2 – Interior waterproofing of the basement can be improved by adding waterproof drywall in addition to the first option just mentioned. This specialized product is called a green board and is typically used in bathrooms. However, using this product in a base subject to water problems is also a good idea.

Option #3/4 – I have combined option 3 and 4 together because they go hand in hand. Option #3 is a sump pump and Option #4 is a French drain. A sump pump draws water from the interior walls and then gravity pushes the water out and away from the house. A French drain is a piping system below a cement/earth floor that generally runs around the inside perimeter of the basement. The pipes are usually perforated and will slope into a pump (sump pump) and then out and away from your home.

Option #5 – A great interior basement waterproofing solution would be to add a waterproof membrane to the wall surface before any framing is done. An inner membrane works the same as an outer one. It is designed to direct water away from the wall. One type of membrane is a liquid membrane that is inexpensive, easy to install, and provides the maximum possible protection.

Here are five great interior basement waterproofing methods that you can choose to do in your basement. You may want to do just one or combine several together. If you’re starting to see signs of water damage, you shouldn’t put off this project any longer.