The foundation of any home is one of the most critical components of the structure. It literally keeps the structure in place, and supports its entire load. Although often neglected, foundation problems are one of the most severe problems that any home can have. The overwhelming majority of these problems are a result of exposure to water.

As a general rule, concrete is not fundamentally a waterproof material. Normally uncracked concrete will repel liquid water, however water vapor and humidity are different animals, and will easily penetrate any type of concrete that has not been treated. Wet or humid crawl spaces and basements can lead to a host of other problems, and are a breeding ground for harmful mold that may pose a health risk to anyone in the residence.

Basement waterproofing and drainage are absolutely essential for building and maintaining a stable structure resistant to moisture and water. Depending on where your home is located, the topography of the land, climate, and foundation depth, the waterproofing process may be fairly simple or more heavily involved.

The major systems of basement and foundation waterproofing can be broken down into three basic elements:

Drains - Proper drainage is necessary to divert water away from the bottom of the foundation. In areas receiving excessive rainfall or runoff, an interior drainage collection pipe and trench coupled with a sump pump can be used to deal with the abnormally high volume of water.

Wall Treatment - Treating the walls of your foundation or basement will block moisture from entering and redirect water down to the drains. Waterproof treatment also substantially increases the lifespan of the walls themselves, reducing cracking, splitting, and discoloration.

Ground Treatment - The soil surrounding the foundation is treated to direct surface water away from the structure. Fundamentally, the most important aspect of this is the grading. The grade of the surrounding soil should provide positive drainage away from the home, not direct water to the home. Also, proper surface drainage can be greatly assisted by a thorough gutter system. The smaller gutter sizes clog easier and will overflow much faster in heavy rains, so be sure not to install undersized gutters. The gutters will collect the water from the roof and divert it away from the outer foundation wall with downspouts.

These three components working in concert will never completely block water or moisture from entering the foundation, however the reduction in contact with liquid water and moisture is well worth the initial investment to have these measures properly installed. As with many things in residential construction, it will normally be much cheaper and easier to treat a basement or foundation properly the first time, rather than attempt to fix a compromised foundation later.

Properly waterproofing a foundation or basement will not only extend its life, but also serve to improve living conditions for you and your family by helping to reduce mold growth and a generally damp and unpleasant environment. If you are looking to move to another location, or are building a new home, always get as much information as possible about how the home was or will be build and what waterproofing and drainage measures were taken.