Exterior basement waterproofing is essential for protecting any building’s foundation against cracks and structural damage caused by water intrusion. Water is an incredibly persistent force, and over time, it can undermine even the strongest foundations.
That’s why it’s so important to take proactive measures to keep water away from your foundation through exterior waterproofing solutions.
What Causes Foundation Cracks?
There are several potential causes of cracks in your building’s foundation walls and floors. The main culprits include:
Settling and Soil Movement
All foundations settle to some degree over time. As the soil underneath naturally compacts, it causes stress and movement that can crack foundations. Poor soil compaction during construction also contributes to settling issues later on. Expansive soils rich in clay are especially problematic, as they swell and shrink greatly with changing moisture levels. This continual expansion and contraction places enormous pressure on foundations.
Tree Roots
Invasive tree roots penetrating close to your building’s foundation can cause cracks. Trees search out sources of water and nutrients, so they’re drawn to foundations. As the roots expand, they displace soil, creating voids, and their physical pressure is strong enough to fracture concrete.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
In cold climates, the soil surrounding your foundation freezes repeatedly and thaws as temperatures fluctuate in winter. This churning action destabilizes foundations, making them more vulnerable to cracking. Water expands as it freezes and contracts when it thaws, making cracks open wider over time.
Improper Foundation Design or Construction
Using inadequate concrete mix designs or improper steel reinforcement during initial foundation construction makes cracking more likely, especially as the foundation ages. Other issues, such as failing to properly prepare the footing soil, not allowing adequate curing times, or improperly placing control joints, further raise the risk of cracks occurring later.
Why Exterior Waterproofing Matters
When foundation cracks occur, one of the biggest concerns is that they provide entry points for water. Water penetration accelerates deterioration by transporting soils, salts, and minerals into cracks to react with the concrete. This expands damage through the freeze/thaw process and causes efflorescence deposits or mold growth.
Exterior waterproofing solutions tackle water intrusion at the source before reaching your foundation. This helps prevent further cracking and deterioration while keeping basement interiors cleaner, drier, and healthier. Exterior waterproofing also better handles situations where hydrostatic pressure and heavy rain or snowmelt cause water buildup.
Some important reasons why exterior protection is superior include:
Stops Water Infiltration at Weak Points
Since exterior waterproofing seals the entire outside surface of foundation walls, it provides a continuous protective barrier over existing and potential future crack locations. Isolated interior crack repairs cannot match this thorough coverage.
Relieves Hydrostatic Pressure
Water buildup in the surrounding soil applies tremendous hydrostatic pressure against basement walls, pushing water through cracks. Exterior waterproofing systems safely divert groundwater away before it ever touches the foundation, preventing erosion that further destabilizes the structure.
Enhances Drainage
Integrating new perforated drainage pipes and gravel beds around the exterior foundation base improves drainage performance. Keeping the soil beside and underneath your basement drier helps minimize pressure on the walls and damage from freeze/thaw expansion.
Doesn’t Lose Effectiveness Over Time
Exterior sealants and membranes maintain complete contact with the foundation walls they are bonded to, establishing that they remain watertight for decades. Meanwhile, the concrete around interior crack repairs eventually erodes, prematurely dislodging patches and diminishing their effectiveness.
Best Exterior Waterproofing Techniques
When your foundation already exhibits some smaller cracks, or you hope to preempt future issues, contacting a basement waterproofing contractor for an exterior application is wise. When researching providers, inquire about their experience level with the following proven techniques:
Polyurethane Injection
Injecting water-activated polyurethane foam deep into foundation cracks fills them completely while expanding and bonding to concrete walls. This flexible material accommodates shifting and prevents further cracking by stabilizing joints. Mold inhibitors keep repairs clean long-term.
Exterior Coatings
Applying thick, rubberized asphalt coatings or cementitious finishes creates an extra moisture barrier outside that augments your foundation walls’ natural water resistance. These durable, mineral-reinforced coatings fill pores and adhere tightly to concrete for reliable, long-lasting water blocking.
Waterproof Membranes
Adhering a tough exterior membrane made from HDPE plastic sheeting, bentonite clay mats, or rubberized asphalt creates an impenetrable waterproof barrier. This powerful defense, combined with proper grading, forces water safely around and away from your entire foundation.
Weeping Tile
Installing new exterior weeping tile composed of perforated drain pipes encased in washed gravel improves drainage performance around foundations. Rainwater collects in the gravel, enters the pipes, and diverts away from your building. Combined with catch basins and sump pumps, it provides superior protection.
Proper Soil Grading
Strategically grading and shaping soil to achieve at least 6 inches of negative slope descending away from your building every 10 feet helps quickly direct rainwater off your property. Establishing adequate overhang clearance so roof runoff drips well away from the foundation is also important. Proper drainage minimizes water volume accumulation.
Vapor Barriers
Applying adhesive polyethylene sheeting across exposed earth inside crawlspaces seals out ground moisture evaporation from soil that could penetrate floors and walls. Covering all dirt areas is essential for preventing humidity issues indoors that promote mold growth.
Ongoing Maintenance Counts
While quality exterior waterproofing solutions remain effective for decades, periodic inspection and minor maintenance help enhance longevity even further. Items to examine annually include exterior drainage functionality, soil erosion, vegetation proximity, and water flow patterns.
Repair any damaged coatings, clean gutters, address soil issues, and inspect the basement interior for new leaks. It is also wise to follow through on manufacturer-recommended application touch-ups. Regularly investing a little time goes a long way towards avoiding significant headaches later.
Schedule Your Exterior Basement Waterproofing Today
Compared to interior water management approaches, exterior basement waterproofing protects against foundation cracking and wall deterioration to keep basements dry and structurally sound. Combining multiple layers of defense, including tough barrier coatings and membranes, state-of-the-art drainage, and proper soil management, affords the most powerful moisture protection possible.
Waterproof Caulking & Restoration specializes in waterproofing services to protect property foundations from moisture damage and commercial caulking to seal buildings against leaks. Contact us today at 484-265-9646 or online to learn more about our complete suite of exterior waterproofing and commercial sealing services.