Waterproofing a concrete basement floor
Most people forget about the basement floor when they start a waterproofing project. This is a very big mistake from their part because even if the water comes down the walls, it ends up resting on the floor. A good house construction would take care of the waterproof paint for the walls and the drainage would be just where it supposed to.
How to prepare the concrete basement floor
Before starting to waterproof your concrete basement floor, you have to clean it very well so that the paint will set up good. Look closely to see if there are any cracks and holes on the floor. If you find some, use a wire brush to sweep their sides. After you remove the unnecessary concrete, you can vacuum it away.
How to patch the concrete
Any crack in the concrete basement floor can be a potential way for water to get in, so you have to patch it good before this happens. Follow closely the instructions provided and mix the concrete with enough water until it gets the consistency of oatmeal. Most of the time, the holes and cracks in the concrete have small sizes, so you should be careful at how much material you use to patch them. It’s no problem if the concrete overflows but after that you should spread it out with a trowel. It helps to do this because it anchors very well the patching material to the main floor. After the concrete is dried, sand it well.
The edging
If your home has been built a long time ago, the floor may separate from the walls. To prevent this from happening, put some concrete along the edges of the floor. Wait for the concrete to dry out and then tape the seams with some silicone tape and apply concrete over it.
The painting
Your final task for waterproofing your concrete basement floor is to paint it. After you’ve mixed the paint well, you can use a simple paintbrush to spread it all over the floor. A roller may be necessary also in order to even out the paint and if you feel the need, you can apply a second coat of paint.