Thousands of homeowners find themselves struggling to repair water damage in their basements every year. This is due to the fact that most of them have not taken the appropriate measures to seal and waterproof the basement properly.

Obtaining a waterproof basement is easier than some homeowners think, and investing the appropriate amount of time and effort could save them as much money as it would stress.

What many homeowners do not realize is that achieving a waterproof basement involves the exterior of the home as opposed to the interior. The following are five simple steps all homeowners can use to ensure that their basements stay dry.

The first step to preventing water damage is to evaluate the exterior of the home. It is especially important to inspect and carefully observe the state of the exposed foundation walls and the area surrounding any basement windows.

If there are any cracks, splits or signs of recent water penetration then the homeowner should act quickly and have all repairs completed as soon as possible. The best way to fix the cracks in a poured cement wall or foundation is to use a construction grade expanding epoxy.

Once any visible damage is repaired and addressed properly the homeowner should then consider the shape of the ground surrounding their house. Ideally the earth should slant away from the exterior walls. All window areas should include an adequate weeping tile and crushing rock surround which pulls any rain and spring thaw away from the house.

Now, the next step is to inspect and evaluate any gutters and downspouts. When the roof of a home gathers rainfall or snow, it will channel all water directly to the eaves troughs and down the nearest spout.

If a homeowner is not careful, the positioning of the downspouts can cause severe damage to the exterior foundation walls.

One of the most effective steps in achieving a waterproof basement is to prevent water damage in the first place. All downspouts should be positioned so that all water flows down a sloped section of earth and away from the home.

One of the most common sources for water damage in a basement is an overgrown or unkempt garden. Most homeowners are unaware that a tree or shrub which has rotting roots can channel rain and outdoor moisture through the earth directly into the foundation walls.

If a homeowner feels that their moisture issues seem to be a complete mystery, they should consider examining their landscaping.

Once the homeowner has adjusted their downspouts and repaired all defects, they can consider installing a waterproof basement membrane.

Many construction material suppliers will offer a few varieties of foundation membranes and will visit the home in order to provide an accurate and reliable estimate.