Is Waterproofing Paint an Ideal Solution for Wet Basements?

A wet basement is a major concern for property owners. It not only makes the basement difficult to use but also damages the overall structure of the building and things stored in the area. Most importantly, a wet basement disturbs the foundation of the property and makes it weak. If not treated on time, dampness and moisture lead to various health issues.

 The problem is yet not exaggerated because there is a solution for it. With the help of basement waterproofing, you can control water leakage in the basement and prevent flooding. Also, you use and stay peacefully in the basement. So whenever you spot the signs of dampness in your basement, you should call basement waterproofing professionals. You should even stay connected with them for regular inspection of the basement. With early detection, you will reduce the problem.

Basement waterproofing is a tried and tested solution for wet basements but it’s a bit expensive for some property owners. So they either drop the idea of waterproofing and find some temporary solution or look for a simple and cost-effective method.

According to basement waterproofing professionals, the cheapest option is applying waterproof paint. But there is always a doubt about this method.

Even you might get interested to opt for this basement waterproofing method. But before you do so, you should know the pros and cons of waterproofing paint.

Pros of using waterproofing paint

 

• Protects the basement from inside and prevent moisture to enter the walls
• Creates a barrier over the wall surfaces and reduces the fungal smells.
• Stops the moisture behind the waterproofing paint and reduces the emission of humidity

 

Cons of using waterproofing paint 

·       Though waterproofing paint is recommended by basement waterproofing professionals, they don’t guarantee desired results. According to them, it’s just an option to get rid of the problem temporarily. Waterproofing paint is not a solution for the long run and it will be a huge failure. It’s because paint stops moisture for a certain limit, but cannot stop water from entering. 

·        After a few months or a maximum of a year, the waterproofing paint will peel off. The water inside the cement wall generates salt or efflorescence, which will grow between the concrete surface and the paint layer. Once the salt reaches a maximum level, the paint will start falling out or you will see a large blister on the walls flaking.

·        We already said that waterproofing paint will stop the moisture from inside of the basement but not stop water from going inside the concrete walls. Therefore, the holding of moisture for long by waterproofing paint will consolidate water and cause more pressure inside the walls. And thus, the property structure might get damaged.

We don’t say waterproofing paint isn’t a solution for your wet basement; it’s just that paint isn’t an ideal option. If you wish to fix the issue quickly and temporarily, you can prefer waterproofing, but not when are looking for a permanent and long-term solution. Basement waterproofing is an investment so you shouldn’t take it for granted just to save a few bucks. The amount saved now may turn into a huge expense in the future.