Water/dampness proof a basement?

Question

Other then the obvious high dollar payment to a contractor; what is the best product on the market to paint my basement walls with. Now I know Dyrlock is top notch but I have no time to do 2 layers like required by hand. Esspecially after I have been doing nothing but projects for that past 2 months on my house with many more to come. I have about a 1300Sq/ft basement. And my it is fairley dry but does get damp in our climate (Wisconsin). I own a contractor grade airless sprayer. I know many paint companies sell water proof paints that can be sprayed; so who's is the best that can be sprayed.

Answer 1

If there is water buildup outside your basement wall, then no water proofing material applied inside the basement will work.

There are only two ways to waterproof a basement.

1) redo the outside of the foundation. This means digging it up and filling back with gravel, tile, sump pump, etc.

2) building a second wall inside the basement and installing a sub flooring meant for wet basements. Basically you are building a sealed room that is 2 inches higher and 4 inches in from the walls. The wall should be made of steel studs and foam, not wood. What will happen is moisture will come in from the outside go to the floor, under the sub flooring and out the drain.

If we are talking about mild occasional dampness, then you have a ventilation problem, not a water sealing problem. Installing a power vent on a water heater in the basement will sometimes cause a basement to dry up. I've seen in happen twice in problem basements that have no real foundation problems. I imagine a heat exchanger ventilation system could do the same.

Answer 2

Energy Conservation Specialists on eBay and the Internet has water proofing coating that is easy to apply.  Also it is with hurricane strength protection levels the best known water proofing coating system available.  But using their R-100 3 or 4 paint coating system, you will get the same water proofing layer, primer, and 1 or 2 coats of R-100 insulating paints protection that actually will help any building last considerably longer, thus are very safe to use.  Woulld make winter bills seem to dissappear.  Do a search on the Internet for Energy Conservation Specialists.

Answer 3

If you don't want to have to do it over then do it right the first time and use the Drylock.  I'm sorry if I sound rude but I am a firm believer in doing it right the first time and making time to do so.  That way I don't have to back track because the project list never ends.  I know.