When building a new home, it is important to pay close attention to the foundation and how it is built. A poorly constructed foundation can lead to expensive problems down the road. It’s essential that you understand what kind of foundation your new home has so you can take steps to protect it going forward.
There are many different types of foundations that you may come in contact with when building a home. Each has their own benefits and disadvantages depending on your specific lot and planned usage of your home. One such type of foundational system is sealing concrete foundations. Keep reading to learn more about this practice and whether or not you should have yours sealed!
What is a Sealing Concrete Foundation?
A sealing concrete foundation is a process in which Concrete pumping website is poured or troweled onto the underlying soil. This creates a secondary barrier between the soil and your home’s foundation. This is done primarily to protect the foundation from excessive moisture, which can cause damage to the foundation and surrounding landscape.
A variety of reasons determine why you may need to seal a concrete foundation. If you live in a humid climate, or if you have water issues on your property, sealing your foundation is a crucial step to protecting your home. Sealing a concrete foundation is one of the most effective ways to protect your home from water damage.
Why Seal a Concrete Foundation?
A concrete foundation may be sealed to prevent moisture from seeping into the concrete. Many view the process as a protective barrier between the soil and the foundation. Sealing concrete is often done to prevent the ingress of water or other liquids, such as oils or chemicals. When concrete is unsealed, it may allow water or other liquids to penetrate into its pores, and then cause damage to the foundation once inside the concrete.
Some foundation types, such as a concrete slab, may be poured in a manner that leaves the bottom edge un-pourable (a condition called “kick-out”). Kick-out creates an unsealed opening that may allow moisture to enter the concrete. The same is true for concrete pours that are done improperly. The sealing process can be done as a corrective measure if a section of concrete is unsealed.
Does Sealing Concrete Actually Help?
As mentioned above, there is a chance that water or other liquids can seep into a concrete foundation and cause damage. The sealing process helps prevent this from happening by creating a physical barrier between the soil and the foundation. The idea behind this is that if the soil and foundation can’t make direct contact, there’s no way for water to make its way into the concrete.
While it’s true that sealing a concrete foundation has the potential to reduce moisture ingress, it is not a guarantee. If you live in an area with high water tables or have high rainfall, it is unlikely that sealing your foundation will prevent it from getting wet. High water tables and large amounts of rainfall are outside of your control, so no amount of sealing will help in these situations.
Options for Sealing Your Foundation
There are several ways to seal a concrete foundation.
- You can have a commercial contractor do the work.
- You can hire a residential concrete contractor.
- Or you can do the work yourself.
The right option for you will depend on your specific situation, finances, and how much time and effort you want to put into the project.
If you choose to seal your concrete yourself, there are many different types of sealants. You have plenty of popular DIY options to seal your basement and foundation. So make sure to consider nontoxic options that can be easily applied using DIY methods for the best results.
Conclusion
Sealing a concrete foundation is a great way to protect your home from water damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, or have high water tables on your property, sealing your concrete foundation is a crucial step to protecting your home. There are many reasons that you may need to seal a concrete foundation. If you live in a humid climate, or have water issues on your property, sealing your concrete is a crucial step to protecting your home. Sealing a concrete foundation is one of the most effective ways to protect your home from water damage.
