Many basement flooding and seeping problems could have been avoided by waterproofing the basement when constructed. A basement can be so much more than just a convenient place for storing junk! These days, many individuals recognize that such an area can be used for other things besides more bedrooms, living rooms and dens.

Many homeowners go years without a water problem and then develop one due to the existing sub-floor and sub-surface drains clogging with mud.

The soil will become too wet and saturated if water from the roof isn’t directed far away enough from the foundation. As the home stabilizes, wall fissures appeared, exterior paintings decayed and the drains filled with sand or silt. A leakage in the basement might result from all these problems. Natural pressure from the soil against the foundation will cause flowing ground water to enter through any cracks or crevices in your foundation. The level of pressure is positively correlated with the height of the water level. As water pressure increases, water begins to seep into cracks in the concrete walls and floors. The end results are a water filled crawlspace or basement.

Pressure relief systems are a good way to prevent hydrostatic water from entering your home. However when the electricity goes out, most likely during a  rainstorm, primary pumps cannot work. Over time this pressure increases until the moisture is literally pushed through the floor or wall (often called bleeding). Seepage is often found where the wall meets the floor around the corners and joints.

If water seems to be coming in from an isolated area, installing a sump pump below floor level can lower the water table and underground hydrostatic pressure in that area. Water vapor will go right through concrete since it is porous. This moisture makes it feel even colder, causes carpet or other floor covering to rot, allows mold to grow, and causes the basement to smell musty.

One fix for this problem is to use some of the quality sealants now available to the average home owner. Frequently, they can be applied with a brush, roller or spray can.

Here are some examples of what a regular basement floor waterproofing project might entail:

- preparing the floor by removing crumbly or loose material.
- making sure the basement floor is as dry as possible, hiring large fans or heaters if necessary.
- Assuring that the wall/floor junctions are sealed off.
- Filling in all crevices and bends which are especially visible.
- Find out if it is necessary to use a primer and if it should be, prime the floor as per instructions
Spread two or three coats which is just right top-coating of the final product.

A high quality product will result in basement floor waterproofing that can last for years and years. Permaflex is one type of sealant that will give a complete and permanent waterproofing for a basement floor. This is arguably the only waterproofing system that is suitable for indoor use that will result in the complete sealing of a basement floor, no matter what sort of state it might be in. And it is considerably cheaper than other type of work as it does not involve pipes or pumps!

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