Building your own home takes a lot of forethought and patience. You’ll want to invest in your home’s future just as readily as you would in your home’s initial construction. That’s where mid-construction waterproofing can come in handy.
When you have a local contracting team waterproof your foundation or basement during their construction, you’re preserving those materials for years to come.
Why should you install waterproofing measures during your home’s construction instead of waiting until your home’s already standing? Is the difference in cost and opportunity really so different?
If you find yourself asking these questions, why not explore the mid-construction waterproofing process? As you do, you may find that this early investment in your home’s security to be more important than you originally thought.
Choosing Your Foundation
Before you can commit to any waterproofing solutions, you’ll need to determine what kind of foundation you want your home to have. The foundation you commit to can change your contractor’s approach to waterproofing your home.
While there are several foundation options available for you to choose from, two of the most common include:
- Concrete slabs – If you’re new to the world of home-building or an experienced pro, you’ve probably been told that a concrete slab is your best foundation option. Construction teams lay down concrete slab foundations in a uniform layer. That uniformity allows the foundation to retain its strength for years to come. Concrete slabs are also fairly easy to waterproof. You’ll be able to invest in waterproofing solutions during the construction phase that takes advantage of a concrete slab’s foundational feet and other architectural features.
- Basement foundations – If you want a basement beneath your home, then there’s no better foundation than a basement foundation. Construction teams have to dig at least eight feet below your home to establish your basement foundation, laying a concrete slab and supported walls as they go.
As mentioned, both of these foundations are reasonably easy to waterproof during the construction phase. A concrete slab foundation does come with features that make it easier to waterproof. When both are exposed, it’s significantly easier for a team of contractors to reach your foundation and apply your preferred waterproofing measures.
Waterproofing During Construction: Your Options
Speaking of waterproofing measures: which ones will you have available to you during the construction process? Regardless of your foundation of choice, you’ll have access to several, including the ones listed below:
- Drainage tiles
- Sump pumps
- Temporary sealants
- Wall membranes
- Waterproof insulation
You’ll want to sit down with both the team building your home and your waterproofing team to determine which of these solutions – or any combination thereof – will best suit your needs.
Why Waterproof During Construction, Not After?
Waterproofing your home is never a bad decision. Why should you consider mid-construction waterproofing instead of post-construction waterproofing?
Certain foundation types are simpler to waterproof during the construction phase than they are after construction. Your foundation, after all, will already be exposed, making it less expensive to have your waterproofing measures of choice installed. This early waterproofing will also keep your materials of choice safe throughout the construction process, preventing any early damage from causing your problems later down the line.
That said, the basement waterproofing and foundation repair specialists in your area have many years of experience with homes new and old. Whether your home has been recently built or has been standing for many years, these experts will be able to conduct a thorough evaluation of the structure and let you know what solutions are recommended to fix any issues. Other waterproofing options mirror those previously mentioned and include interior drainage and sump pump systems, as well as dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, and more.
You’ll also be able to discuss lawn regrading during the construction of your home. When you regrade your lawn, the construction team you have on tap will lift your foundation up above the ground level of the rest of your yard. This way, any water runoff from rain or flooding will be directed away from your perimeter instead of toward it. Combine a thorough regrade with other waterproofing measures, and you’ll be able to weather North Dakota’s rains for years to come.
If you have the opportunity to save both money and time on home waterproofing measures, then why not run through your mid-construction options? You can reach out to the contractors working in the Fargo, ND, area for an inspection and a free quote on potential services.
