These Basement Waterproofing Tips Will End Your Worries

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Every homeowner wants their basement dry and mold-free all year round. Most of the time however, this is easier said than done because there are no quick fix solutions to this problem. You need to get to the root cause of it, and in this case, find out what is causing the moisture. Only then can you decide the best waterproofing technique that can be applied.

It's better if you do your homework first and look around for the best basement waterproofing services in Connecticut or in your local area. Your basement contractors should know about the basic building code and structural code modifications and its process in Connecticut before you proceed with this home improvement project.

A reliable local basement contractor will tell you that every visible crack needs to be patched and thoroughly cured prior to wall application in order to properly seal your basement. If done incorrectly, it will still leak out no matter how much coating was applied. After this you can now proceed with waterproofing your basement.

Exterior Waterproofing

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Now, if you have a big budget to spare, you might as well go for the best way to waterproofing your basement. This will involve excavating around your house right down to the bottom of your foundation walls. Only when it is complete can waterproof coating be applied. After it has completely dried up, you will now add some drainage panels to the top. This are used in order to provide a path so the water will flow away from your house. It's impossible to do this on a shoestring budget because you will need several thousand dollars and even a basement contractor to make sure it's done right.

Plastic Sheets and Panels

You will use these in relation to the interior drainage systems in your basement. Remember, they do not keep water from seeping through your walls, but they prevent water from destroying your things inside the basement. What happens is when water runs through your walls, it goes down the panels and into the drainage system on your floor. Afterwards the water is pumped out via a sump pump.

Waterproofing Paint

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This is an acrylic formula that's usually found with your regular paint. You are still going to use a roller, brush or sprayer but you need a thicker application for this. Know that a gallon of this paint can only cover an estimated 75 square feet. This type of paint can be used on painted surfaces and you can paint over it as long as it has already been cured. Approximate curing time is about one week. There are a lot of contractors in Connecticut who offer great paint jobs, such as ED Painting. Go check them out.

Silicate Based Concrete Sealer

A trusted basement contractor may recommend these densifiers for walls that have neither been sealed nor painted on. This sealer will quickly soak in and will have a chemical reaction with the brick or concrete, forming a hard and waterproof surface. You will like this because it won't peel or flake of and you can also paint over it in the future. You can apply this using a roller, sprayer, or brush, doing two coats to make sure the cracks are properly sealed.

Concrete Waterproofing Coating

Basement waterproofing services will tell you that this is one of the best methods because this thick coating which is cement like can permanently adhere to concrete walls. You need a heavy brush when doing this and only use this on surfaces that has not been painted yet. You'll need to add water to this in order to create the mixture. For the brushes and other concrete tools,you may want to rent them instead of making a purchase. Go check CT Rental Center. 

On Hiring a Reputable Basement Contractor

Now, before you get all excited and start hiring a basement contractor to get the work started, make sure you’re hiring one who will give you your money’s worth. Do not sacrifice quality for a cheaper price because you might be spending more for poor workmanship in the end. Here are some tips to follow to make sure you got the right person for the job.

Ask for Recommendations

You can start with your neighbors, family and close friends then look it up in the National Association of the Remodelling Industry in your area for the list of members. You may also ask some advice from a building inspector who knows which contractors always follow the code requirements.

Conduct Phone Interviews

Once you have several contractors on your list, start calling them up one by one and see if they are prepared to answer your questions. See if they take on projects like yours, know their willingness to provide financial references from their banks or suppliers, and even give you a list of their previous clients. Their willingness to answer these questions will tell you how reliable they will be once they take on the project.

Schedule a Meeting

Pick out three contractors and arrange to meet personally so you can discuss estimates, material and labor cost, etc. The contractor must be able to answer all your queries and put your mind at ease in the end. You need to be able to communicate well and be sure you're both on the same page because this person will be in your home most of the time.

Always check with the state's consumer protection agency as well as the Better Business Bureau to make sure they don't have long standing disputes with other subcontractors or clients.