Moisture problems can occur in many places in the home. Often, however, the basement is the most damp place in a home. Do you often notice puddles of water in this room? Possibly it is soil moisture that largely makes its way in through the basement floor. In that case, floor drainage of your basement may well be the appropriate solution. Read on to find out how such a moisture solution works.
What is floor drainage in the basement?
Waterproofing a basement in general two ways:
- Via cellar tubing
- Via basement drainage
Floor drainage falls under the category of basement drainage, and is closely related to edge drainage and wall drainage. This form of basement drainage is used when moisture enters through the basement floor because it is under high pressure from groundwater. This can occur with porous floors, such as a basement floor composed of bricks, for example.
Traditionally, a moisture expert is going to install a bubble liner or membrane when doing floor drainage. This works as follows:
- This bubble wrap consists of a very strong material and has a special structure of all small channels.
- Through these small channels, groundwater is collected and directed to a single drainage well. This drain well is drilled at the lowest point of the basement, allowing the water to drain naturally.
- The water in this collection well is then pumped out through a drain by means of a water pump. In most cases, this water pump has sensors, so it does its job automatically.
- Between the strips and on the sides of the bubble wrap, stick a strong waterproof tape, so that groundwater seeping in has no chance of escaping the channels.
- Finally, the moisture expert applies a new layer of concrete on top of the studded membrane. Because the groundwater under this new floor is neatly drained, floor drainage is a durable solution that is also not visible.
When the new floor has hardened and dried sufficiently, the moisture problem is permanently eliminated. You will lose about 8 cm of height in the process. It is advisable to seek the help of an expert if you want to have your basement floor drained. This is because it guarantees an accurate evaluation and a professional execution of the necessary work.
Unique approach: basement floor drainage with AquaConsult
At AquaConsult, we have a certified alternative method of doing floor drainage. Instead of adding another layer of concrete above the bubble wrap, as described above, we install certified ceramic tiles. The tiles are elastically grouted using a unique process so they never come loose.
Our approach has several advantages:
- Unique in Flanders
- Complete and beautiful finish
- Choice of different colors
- Only a maximum loss of height of 5 cm
- Standard 20-year warranty
- Also possible for basements
Would you like more information about this solution? Please feel free to contact us.
How is floor drainage different from basement drainage?
In basement waterproofing, also known as basement sealing, a waterproof plaster is applied in several stages or layers to both the walls and floor of the basement. These layers then dry out and collectively form a protective barrier against moisture.
When determining the best-fit solution, we always consider the groundwater pressure. If the groundwater pressure is too high, basement waterproofing may not be the most appropriate method of moisture control. It is not obvious to determine exactly how high the groundwater pressure really is. Get the assistance of a moisture expert for this.
The benefits of floor drainage in the basement
The biggest advantage of having floor drainage performed (professionally) in your basement is, of course, that the moisture problem is solved efficiently. The groundwater that seeps into the basement through the floor is effectively drained thanks to the floor drainage. Do you combine the floor drainage with wall drainage? Then your entire basement is protected from water entering.
Floor drainage in your basement also has other benefits:
- Possible mold growth is counteracted
- You avoid structural damage to your home, preserving its value
- The basement becomes usable again as a storage area, for example
Is floor drainage the solution to your moisture problem?
Whether basement floor drainage is the ideal solution to moisture in your basement depends on several factors. In some cases, basement waterproofing or ventilation is a more appropriate method. Therefore, we recommend having a thorough moisture analysis done to determine the cause and extent of the moisture problem. Only then can it be determined whether or not basement floor drainage is the most appropriate solution for your situation, and a good estimate of the cost of the procedure can be made.
Do you have a damp basement and are looking for a suitable solution? Then AquaConsult is the right place for you. Contact us now, or request a free moisture expertise.