Nowadays, multiple constructions are going on in the country. Most people don't worry about the project taking time. They are more concerned with the quality of work when the building or home is constructed. The sole reason is that they want to avoid problems when the construction is finished. One such problem that arises after the home or building is built is the waterproofing issue. Such problems mostly take place in countries such as the United States of America or Canada. People argue about the occasional floodings, spoiled renovation, mold growing issues,
cracked foundation.
The same is the case with parking spaces. Parking spaces are underground, and so many car spaces are vulnerable to being filled with moisture. However, moisture is one of many problems. After heavy rain, this basement parking can be flooded. There are two ways the basement parking area can be flooded. One way is the water comes from the top through the road. Likely, this will only happen if nearby drainage is not working proper, for ex.
catch basin got clogged with debris and trash. However, an underground parking can get flooded from the bottom too. Let me further explain so you have a better idea.
Construction of basement parking can be of types. In some countries, there are buildings explicitly made for parking cars. They are made to reduce the parking crisis in the area so that people can safely park without getting a ticket for parking on the street. However, you will also be able to see multiple parking spots in the basement of residential buildings. In some areas, both types of parking spaces will face the issue of parking. Sometimes when it rains a lot, the rainwater turns into a stream. If the stream is fierce, it may damage the basement walls and seep through. So that's one reason why we should carry out
foundation waterproofing for an underground parking.
Water can't move into the basement walls and flood them until and unless the basement walls have gone weak. We should wonder how such thick concrete walls can get weak. They might get weak when the moisture from the ground is constantly absorbed into the basement walls. Just imagine! For multiple years the moisture from the ground is absorbed into the walls, and slowly and gradually, they weaken. Additionally pressure underground cannot be compared to a saturated soil that pushes to the area with low density. Once they get weak, tiny droplets can find their way through the walls and enter the vicinity of the basement. A time will come when these droplets will advance to water streams inside the basement. As a result, it is vital to carry out
waterproofing in the basement so that the health of your walls remains up to the mark and they can withstand any situation.
However, there are other reasons too why underground parking waterproofing becomes necessary. It's to protect the property of people as we all know that underground parking's used for vehicles. Mostly, residents of a building will use their car so that it won't be in the basement for long. But what about the cars that stay in the basement for two to three months if a family goes on vacation? The excessive moisture that has built up will damage the vehicles and cause them to rust. If we waterproof our basement and place that extra protective layer, we can reduce the moisture and, in return, protect the vehicles of the people. It may also cause rust to the surrounding metallic material in the basement, so you will have to pay extra to get that rust off them.
Some approaches to basement waterproofing: Epoxy injections: Most construction experts call them the band-aid fixes to curb waterproofing issues. They are beneficial because they are relatively cheaper and get the job done. These sealants' objective is to prevent moisture from entering the basement walls. However, you must take care of some things before applying the sealant. You should never apply it over painted walls or walls having fluorescent on them. In addition to the previous fact, you should also know that such sealants become very strong once they dry up, and hence they can break or cracks can form once the foundation expands and contracts due to temperature fluctuation. Furthermore, with the advancement of technology, there are now some flexible sealants that don't break easily.
Interior Drainage: Installing a drainage system from the inside is much more effective than installing it outside. Water usually flows inside, so it doesn't matter if the drainage system is outside. It is most commonly known as a French drain and is installed along the interior parameter of the basement floor. It also includes a sump pump that can instantly pump the water out of the drain to prevent any damage. Most people recommend constructing multiple drains that lead to one sump pump. Once all the water is collected in one place, the sump pump can move it out.
Exterior waterproofing: When you carry out exterior waterproofing, you are dealing with polymers and membranes coated on the walls' exterior. However, you may also install and trench drain underground to make things more effective. Once it is done with professional help, it can effectively waterproof a basement. Although it is an easy way to waterproof your basement, it does have some disadvantages. Since you have to dig the ground, you need someone with an excavator, and nowadays, excavator services are expensive so it may bring a hike in our cost. But even if you make an exterior drain, they still have an additional disadvantage. They clog up very easily, and you will have to find a solution further because it can reverse the whole process and flood the basement. Due to this reason, most people recommend using the interior drainage method or sealing the basement by injecting a sealant or epoxy onto the basement walls.