Dampness, moisture, flooding with water (melt, ground) and as a result, mold, destruction of concrete and foundation - all this is a consequence of improper or poor-quality insulation of the building. Waterproofing of the underground (basement) floor of a private house, i.e. basements (cellar, basement, underground) must be done at the construction stage. But, if the problem arose already during operation, then you will have to perform internal waterproofing of the walls, floor and even the basement ceiling, i.e. from inside the room.
What threatens the lack of basement waterproofing. As they say, it's better to see once...
If you do not want your basement or cellar to resemble a pool, a hotbed of mold, fungi and other evil spirits, it is better to take care of its protection from groundwater in a timely manner.
How to make basement waterproofing from the inside correctly and inexpensively?
The basement waterproofing device involves protecting the building from the outside and from the inside. However, it is not always possible to perform waterproofing work on time and in full. And, as experience shows, making them later is much more expensive and more difficult.
Therefore, within this article, we will figure out how to do the internal waterproofing of the basement with your own hands.
Waterproofing works - what to look for:
- at joints between surfaces. For example, between the floor and walls, walls and ceiling, as well as places where the walls are joined together;
- for work seams. Such connections occur during the concreting of the surface or at the places of the formwork;
- to the places of arrangement of communications;
- on cracks and faults that appeared due to shrinkage of the structure.
Depending on the area of work, vertical and horizontal waterproofing is distinguished.
Vertical waterproofing of basement walls from the inside
It is needed in a situation where the basement walls are located at the groundwater level and / or there is no drainage system.
In this case, the basement walls are waterproofed from the inside along the basement of the building. Usually it accompanies horizontal waterproofing.
The diagram shows the places that need to be isolated if the ceiling between the first floor and the basement is below ground level
Basement floor horizontal waterproofing
It is carried out when the basement of the basement is at the level of groundwater or clay soil prevents water seepage. Performed by gender.
Waterproofing the floor in the basement of the house is done regardless of whether it is required at this stage or not. Because there may be changes in water level, precipitation, or a change in the purpose of the room.
The diagram shows the places that need to be isolated if the ceiling between the first floor and the basement is above ground level
Depending on the degree of exposure to moisture, the types of insulation are distinguished:
Anti-pressure waterproofing
It is required if the pressure of ground (underground) water reaches 10 meters, and there is no external waterproofing and drainage system. In this case, you need a solid solid barrier to water.
The principle of anti-pressure waterproofing is to use water pressure, under the influence of which the insulating material is pressed against the surface (in the event that the material is attached to the outer surface of the basement. Settled during construction). The use of rubber, membrane, roll seals is shown.
Anti-capillary waterproofing
Allows you to protect the basement from excessive moisture and the appearance of dampness. For these purposes, penetrating waterproofing would be the best option.
Non-pressure basement waterproofing
Designed to protect against temporary flooding in case of seasonal floods and excessive precipitation. Bituminous mastic is used as an insulating material.
Basement waterproofing methods and techniques
From the point of view of the materials used, the most common types of waterproofing today are the following:
- coating (painting) waterproofing of the basement - bituminous or polymer mastics;
- deposited.
However, their significant drawback is that under a slight pressure of water (and even melt water is enough), a negative hydrostatic pressure appears. It leads to the fact that the applied protection swells, exfoliates and the waterproofing ceases to exist.
More modern ways are:
- penetrating waterproofing;
- coating waterproofing on a mineral (cement) basis;
- membrane waterproofing;
- waterproofing using liquid rubber or glass.
The choice of method depends on:
- groundwater and precipitation levels;
- the presence of drainage around the foundation;
- purpose of the premises;
- foundation material and the quality of its insulation.
While basement waterproofing techniques will vary depending on the method chosen, there are a few general guidelines for properly waterproofing a basement.
- If there is water in the basement, you need to pump it out or wait until it leaves on its own. Some types of waterproofing can be made in a humid environment. But none of them are performed in water.
- The wall is cleaned of dust, dirt, falling parts. Ideally, only the masonry material should remain - concrete, brick. If you skip this stage, the consumption of material will increase and the quality of work will decrease.
- All cracks must be expanded (grooved) in order to better insulate.
- Clean the formed strobes from dust, prime and fill with mortar. Wait until the solution dries.
- Priming is an essential part of waterproofing work. It strengthens the walls, increases the adhesion of the mortar and the surface. When priming walls, try to process problem areas twice.
- If the house is new and can sag, reinforcing fabric, soft mesh or geotextiles should be applied to the wall before waterproofing. They are fastened with dowels or applied to a wet solution. If it is planned to apply waterproofing in two layers, the reinforcing fabric is laid between the layers.
- The soil floor should be covered with rubble and cemented. Only then can it be isolated. There is no material that can be applied to the ground, and it will perform its waterproofing functions.
- Horizontal waterproofing must extend to the wall to a height of at least 300 mm.
- The wall should be dried, only penetrating waterproofing and bituminous emulsions are applied to a damp surface.
- If the basement will be heated, its walls should not be painted with oil paint, because. she can peel off.
- Don't forget about the flights of stairs that lead to the basement. They also need to be isolated.
- Choose those waterproofing materials that will give you the opportunity to repair basement waterproofing yourself and at minimal cost.
- Make sure your basement is well ventilated. To do this, you need to make a lock hole in the ceiling of the basement, and on the other hand, equip the pipe-air duct. This design will work as a hood. Outside, the pipe is covered with a fine mesh and a cap. The mesh is needed to protect the basement from small rodents, and the cap is to prevent precipitation from entering the cellar.
Basement waterproofing from the inside - materials: types and characteristics
Whatever the reasons that lead you to understand the need to perform this type of work, one thing is important - that the selected waterproofing material is the most suitable for solving your problem.
To do this, we offer an analysis of the most common technologies and methods for performing internal waterproofing work. These techniques are based on various materials.
1. Roll waterproofing (pasting, bituminous)
Represents a range of rolled materials on a bituminous and polymeric basis. The most common are classic roofing material and roofing felt, as well as modern materials: glass roofing material, brizol, hydroisol, foilizol.
Roll materials for basement waterproofing are laid by gluing onto bituminous mastic (hot, cold) or by fusing.
Pros:
- relatively low cost of work;
- the ability to perform waterproofing with your own hands.
Minuses:
- becomes brittle when the temperature drops;
- exposure to microorganisms;
- the quality of work depends on the conscientiousness of the person.
Roll waterproofing device technology:
- The wall is cleaned of everything superfluous and primed.
- Bituminous mastic is applied to the dried surface.
- The roofing material is cut into sheets and laid over the mastic with an overlap of 150mm. The same overlap is made on the wall, so that the joints of the walls are insulated.
2. Membrane waterproofing
One of the varieties of rolled waterproofing.
It is believed that the protective material of the membrane type should be pressed against the surface by water, and only then will the membrane adhere tightly to the base (i.e., it is oriented to the waterproofing from the outside).
However, a membrane has appeared on the market that allows you to waterproof the basement from the inside.
The membrane is like a sheet with cone-shaped spikes that drain accumulated water.
Advantages:
- durability;
- the ability to apply to any base (including a damp wall);
- opportunity to do it yourself.
Disadvantages:
- requires horizontal waterproofing.
Membrane waterproofing technology:
- Clean the wall, seal the cracks and prime it.
- Fasten the membrane to the wall using dowels.
- Advice. The membrane is attached only from above.
- Arrange a horizontal waterproofing that will secure the free ends of the membrane.
The essence of this method is based on the reaction of the insulation material with the surface material. Waterproofing penetrates through microcapillaries and cracks (up to 0.4 mm) and crystallizes.
Crystallization occurs due to the chemical reaction of penetrates (special reagents). That is why penetrating mixtures for basement waterproofing are often called Penetron.
Silica, aluminum oxide, alkali metal carbonates are used as penetrating additives. Thus, the impermeability of concrete is increased.
For example, when waterproofing a basement from the inside with a penetron, the substance penetrates deep into the pores of concrete and forms water-insoluble crystals there.
Advantages:
- penetration into the structure of concrete (Penetron passes up to 60 cm in depth) allows you to maximize its waterproofing properties;
- increases the resistance of concrete to sub-zero temperatures;
- even microcracks are clogged, through which moisture could penetrate;
- the vapor permeability of concrete is maintained;
- ease of application;
- mechanical damage is excluded;
- long service life.
Penetrating waterproofing technology
- The base material is cleaned and degreased. This is necessary so that the pores of the concrete can open up.
Advice. You can scrape the surface with a wire brush. A rough surface will allow more penetrating solution to be absorbed.
- The surface can be cleaned using a water jet. Water is supplied under pressure of about twenty atmospheres.
- The mixture is being prepared. Initially, the insulation is a dry mix that needs to be mixed with water.
- The mixture is applied to wet concrete. Moreover, corners and joints are processed first. And then the entire surface.
- The mixture applied in several layers can penetrate to a depth of half a meter or more.
Advice. Wait at least 2 hours before applying the second layer of the liquid mixture.
- After applying the penetrating solution, it will be necessary to moisten the treated surface for several more days. This is necessary so that the mixture hardens evenly.
The most popular today is Penetron penetrating waterproofing for internal basement protection (domestic production).
4. Injection waterproofing
This type of insulation can be called a type of penetrating waterproofing. Injectable basement waterproofing from the inside is a fairly fluid gel that is injected into the prepared holes.
Materials for injection waterproofing come in several types: microcement, acrylate, epoxy and polyurethane gels.
Pros:
- minor material costs;
- the ability to perform injections at any level of humidity and any temperature;
- no need to prepare the surface;
- hard-to-reach places can be processed.
Minuses:
- only a professional who owns the tool, equipment and methodology can perform such work.
1. Injection holes are drilled with a perforator;
2. By means of special equipment (injection pump), the mixture is introduced (pumped) into the concrete (into a hole, crack, fracture) under pressure, using packers - special needles.
In more detail the injection process - look at the photo.
5. Basement waterproofing with liquid rubber
The basis for the production of rubber are bitumen and various polymers.
The basic principle of operation lies in the strong connection of the membrane material and the surface at the molecular level.
Advantages:
Long service life;
- not subject to decay;
- protected from bacteria and fungi;
- resistance to temperature extremes;
- resistance to an ultraviolet;
- resistance to water pressure;
- Fire safety;
- low cost;
- excellent adhesion to the surface;
- high maintainability.
Basement waterproofing from the inside with liquid rubber - execution scheme:
- The walls are thoroughly cleaned of dust, dirt, fungi and loose parts.
Advice. The surface intended for applying rubber should be leveled. Otherwise, you will have an overrun of material.
- A primer is applied over the entire surface. It protects the wall from pests and provides better adhesion of the rubber to the surface.
- First, apply a primer to the corners and cracks, and cover with a special cloth on top. This will better seal the gaps. Next, the entire surface is primed. Thus, the slots will be protected twice.
- It takes 3-4 hours for the primer to dry, depending on the ventilation in the basement.
- Liquid rubber for basement waterproofing, depending on the composition of the mixture, can be applied with a roller or a special installation, this allows you to evenly distribute the material over the walls and floor.
Advice. If the basement is machine waterproofed from the inside, the price of the work will exceed the cost of the material itself.
- After the material is applied, it hardens. The resulting film is impervious to water.
- Decorative finishing works are being carried out.
Liquid glass is like rubber. When solidified, it completely prevents the ingress of water. It is made from sodium silicate with an admixture of sand and soda.
Sold liquid glass in the form of crushed powder. If necessary, the powder is mixed with water, and the resulting liquid mixture serves as a waterproofing solution.
Pros:
- the ability to perform waterproofing with your own hands;
- anticorrosive properties;
- maintainability.
Minuses:
- Not intended for all surfaces.
Liquid glass is suitable for basement waterproofing, the concrete walls of which contain metal parts.
Technology for waterproofing with liquid glass
- Clean and degrease the wall.
- Cover joints, cracks and corners, and then the rest of the surface.
Advice. The liquid glass mixture hardens very quickly, so it should be prepared in limited quantities.
If you add glass powder to the plaster, you can get even more reliable protection.
7. Cement-based waterproofing (coated)
Such waterproofing is a polymer composition with a predominance of cement. There are 2 types: flexible (combination of polymer emulsion and dry cement mix) and rigid (dry mix only).
A feature of cement waterproofing is the use of a vapor-permeable material with very high adhesion. Due to this, it is often used for internal waterproofing.
Advantages:
- the availability of the material;
- polymer additives give cement flexibility.
- opportunity to do the work yourself.
Disadvantages:
- fragility of waterproofing.
Waterproofing technology
- Clean the wall of old cement and wet it strongly. Cement mortar lays down much better on wet walls.
- Mix the mixture with water and mix well. Lumps of dry mortar greatly reduce the quality of work.
- Apply the solution with a brush, roller or spatula (depending on the consistency).
Advice. The finished waterproofing must be moistened periodically to ensure uniform drying of the layer.
Basement waterproofing with Penetron - video review
Conclusion
As you can see from the review, when performing such work as waterproofing basements from the inside, a variety of materials can be used. Each of them has its own purpose and application technology.
Now you know how to properly waterproof the basement from the inside, choose and correctly apply protection, which will ensure your basement is dry and biologically safe for a long time.
