Did you know that basements are one of the best ways of enlarging your living space? You can use them as storage spaces, parking lots, or guest rooms whenever you have too many visitors. Notably, basements are prone to seepage because the walls and floor are in direct contact with the inner layers of the soil. These soil layers contain lots of water percolating into the ground whenever it rains. For this reason, you must seal your basement walls and floors thoroughly to keep the water from seeping into the building. Here is a discussion that will take you through the various alternatives used to waterproof your home's basement:

Elastomeric Membranes

Elastomeric membranes are a recent development in the waterproofing market. The membranes are made from a combination of polyurethane and urethane, materials renowned for their excellent resistance to moisture in general. During application, the membrane is coated using a paintbrush and set in place without any additional reinforcement. The membranes are ideal for one-time applications, and they will offer protection against seepage for several decades to come. In some cases, vendors refer to these membranes as life-long waterproofing solutions.

Emulsion (Bituminous) Membranes

Bituminous waterproofing membrane is another alternative you can turn to when you need to protect your home's basement. Just as the name suggests, this waterproofing is a petroleum based product considering the bitumen content used during manufacture. It also contains asphalt, a product that has a range of applications among roofers. They rely on it for water resistance purposes.

When used for waterproofing in basements, bituminous membranes are applied as emulsions with the asphalt acting as the primary water resistance factor. The emulsion requires reinforcement after installation if you want it to serve you for many years. Reinforcement alternatives include fibreglass webbing or rubberised asphalt. Preferably, you should use fibreglass webbing because rubberised asphalt is hard to apply and generally expensive.

Liquid Foundation Membrane

Liquid foundation membranes are another popular option for waterproofing homes. They are easy to apply compared to the other alternatives discussed earlier, as you spread the liquid over the designated area and give it time to cure. To add on that, liquid membranes penetrate hard to reach areas such as curves, corners, and spaces within fittings in the basement. This quality makes them very reliable, considering that you have tight spaces to work with in most basements. Lastly, they will give your basement a smooth finish compared to bituminous or elastomeric membranes, improving the aesthetic appeal of the room.   

For more information, contact local professionals like Westside Sealants Pty Ltd.