Get Ready For Winter: Key Elements For Effective Exterior Waterproofing

Posted on: 9 September 2022

When it comes to waterproofing your home, you can't afford to stop on the inside. Interior waterproofing helps protect against damage once water has already breached your home. But, exterior waterproofing helps keep water out of your home altogether. Exterior waterproofing also serves as a barrier against foundation damage. That's why you need to choose the right exterior waterproofing methods. If you've never waterproofed the exterior of your home, read the list provided below. You'll find four steps to design an effective exterior waterproofing system. 

Drainage

If you're trying to waterproof the exterior of your home, start with the drainage system. Without proper drainage, water tends to pool around the foundation. Pooling can cause a couple of problems for your home. Pooling allows water to seep into the basement or crawlspace. If you don't have a basement or crawlspace, you might think you're safe from damage caused by pooling. That's not the case though. Water that pools around the perimeter of your home can damage the foundation. To prevent that, any exterior waterproofing plan should include proper drainage systems. 

Gutters

If you're designing an exterior waterproof system for your home, spend some time on the gutters. If you don't have gutters on your home, now's the time to have them installed. If you do have gutters, now's the time to give them some maintenance. Start by removing all the debris from the gutters. Move on to a thorough cleaning of the gutters. Finally, repair any damaged gutters you find. These steps will allow water to flow away from your home, without causing damage. 

Pumps

If you have a basement or crawlspace in your home, your exterior waterproofing system should include sump pumps. If you're like most homeowners, you might think that sump pumps belong inside the house. If that's the case, you're partially right. Sump pumps should be part of your interior waterproofing system. But, they should also be part of the exterior system. This is especially true with the crawlspace and window wells. You never know when the crawlspace and window wells are going to fill with water. When they do, sump pumps can remove the water before it has a chance to damage your home. 

Walls

If you're ready to implement an exterior waterproofing plan for your home, don't forget about the exterior walls. Waterproofing the exterior walls will help prevent water absorption. There are a couple of ways to waterproof the exterior walls. One of the easiest ways is with waterproofing paint. Waterproofing paint protects against water absorption, while still allowing your walls to breathe.

Share