How To Waterproof A Concrete Basement Floor

If you’re looking to waterproof a concrete basement floor, you may have heard that pouring a new concrete slab is the only way to do it. While this is only sometimes true (and can get expensive), there are some ways that you can waterproof a concrete basement floor without having to redo the whole thing. In this post, we’ll explain the best way to waterproof a concrete basement floor so you can use it as storage space or even as living space if it’s finished off with drywall and other finishes.

Check The Water Drainage

The first thing you should do is make sure that your basement floor drains away from your house. It’s best to set up a sump pump in your basement, but if you don’t have one, find out whether there’s any water collection system already in place. If not, create one yourself by digging a trench around the perimeter of your home and then placing a drain tile in it. The tile will channel water away from the foundation and into an underground sump pit where it can be pumped out each time there’s an overflow. This way, if flooding occurs during heavy rainstorms or after the snow melts in springtime (when most basements tend to flood), all liquid will be diverted away from the house instead of pooling near it in one place where it could seeping through walls or other openings on its way back up toward ground level outside.

Clean And Fill Or Repair Cracks

When you’re ready to waterproof your basement floor, the first thing you’ll want to do is clean and fill or repair concrete cracks. If you have large cracks in your concrete, use a concrete patching compound to fill them. Make sure that the cracks are filled with concrete and level with the floor. You should also make sure that they’re not too deep; if they are, it may affect how well your waterproofing system works.

Check The Moisture Level Of Your Sub Base

It is important to know what kind of moisture level your sub-base is dealing with. The best way to do this is by using a moisture meter. This handy device measures the relative humidity in the air, so you can see if there are high levels of moisture present before pouring concrete over it.

If your basement floor has cracks that let water into the sub-base (or even if it just looks like it does), use your screwdriver or chisel to fill them in as best as possible. If there are visible signs of mold on your concrete walls and floors—especially if they smell musty—it’s time to clean things up before sealing them off from future water damage!

Apply a bonding primer to the floor surface

If your concrete floor is smooth and dust-free, you can apply a bonding primer directly to it. Apply the bonding primer in a thin layer with a roller or paintbrush and allow it to dry. Repeat if needed.

Install A Crack Isolation Membrane On The Floor Surface

The next step is to install a crack isolation membrane on the floor surface. This will keep it from becoming water damaged and will also prevent any rotting from happening. You can use a caulking gun to apply this layer.

You’ll want to ensure everything is sealed against moisture penetration because if there are holes left open, water could get through them into your home and cause damage inside as well, making matters worse than they already were!

Apply A Waterproof Coating To The Surface Of The Membrane

The instructions for this step are specific to your chosen product, so refer to those before performing this step. Most waterproofing membranes come with detailed instructions on how to apply their products, but here are some general guidelines:

• Read all directions carefully and follow them exactly as written.
• Cover any exposed concrete floor or walls with plastic sheeting before you begin working with liquid chemicals like plaster or paint that could stain them permanently if splashed on them unintentionally (or intentionally).
• Brush on one coat of sealant evenly over every inch of exposed concrete in order to create an even layer that covers every crack and crevice between each piece of stone if applicable (which can create places where water might get trapped), making sure not too much gets wasted by brushing off extra onto another area when finished covering one small section first.