When it comes to basement waterproofing, there are many ways to go about keeping water out of your home. But the real question is: which one actually works? Each method has its supporters and there’s a lot of information out there about each one, but ultimately it comes down to which one works effectively. Exterior waterproofing is a general term that refers to numerous methods used on the outside of a home to prevent water from getting in. This can be anything from waterproofing the exterior of basement walls, installing a drain system, or even using a sump pump to remove the water that does get into your basement. When you have a leaking basement, you want a waterproofing method that works to protect yourself from it happening again. And more than that, you want a method that truly makes your basement water-PROOF. With that in mind, what are the pros and cons of exterior foundation waterproofing products?

PROS

• Helps outside drainage. One obvious advantage is applications of waterproofing coatings on the outside of basement walls aid in water going into external drainage systems like French drains.
• Reduces cracks and seepage in basement walls. A good waterproofing exterior foundation coating can fill cracks and stop seepage of water to the inside. (It should be noted that these effects will not last forever and are subject to future cracks due to seasonal thaw and freeze cycles)

CONS

• Doesn’t address humidity. While an exterior waterproofing system can often work to keep water from getting in to the basement, it does nothing for the problem of humidity, which leads to growth of mold.
• The typical outdoor waterproofing method requires a coating or some type of waterproof sheeting to be applied to the exterior of basement walls. If you’re trying to waterproof your existing home, that means digging up the area around your home, applying the waterproofing agent of choice to the foundation, then replacing the earth around your house. This is extremely expensive, with the process costing easily thousands of dollars.
• Labor intensive. Exterior waterproofing requires excavating earth around the foundation, application to the exterior walls, then replacing the earth around your home. Then there’s the extra work of replanting grass or other landscaping in the area that was excavated. In addition to being costly to install, these systems are also very labor intensive and require much more work than others.

The SANI-TRED Solution

But there is a much simpler, easier, and cheaper solution to your basement waterproofing needs. SANI-TRED’s do-it-yourself basement waterproofing products can completely seal your basement from the inside without the need for excavating or external waterproofing coats that provide only temporary protection. SANI-TRED is an affordable waterproofing system that can be sprayed, rolled, or painted on to the inside of your basement. Once dried, SANI-TRED outside foundation sealer forms a strong, impermeable bond that permanently stops water from the outside from getting inside. SANI-TRED can handle negative hydrostatic pressure and adheres to your basement walls like no other substance, ensuring that you won’t be surprised one day to newer, larger cracks allowing water into your home.

External waterproofing systems attempt to block water from the outside or even divert the water through drains. Only SANI-TRED affordably and effectively keeps water from getting into your basement permanently without the need for expensive, time-consuming systems that won’t last near as long. Try SANI-TRED and see what real waterproofing is all about.