Hydrostatic Pressure Hydrostatic pressure occurs when water accumulates from rain or garden irrigation systems around your foundation. As gravity pushes down on that water, it will try to  escape to relieve that pressure. As a result, the water will force its way through any cracks in your basement walls and floors. The pressure can get so strong that it will cause cracks. Cracks  Cracks in your basement walls, floors, and around windows or doors provide the perfect avenue through which water can flow. Water will always follow the path of least resistance, and these cracks make it easy for water to come inside. Condensation Basements can be very damp places. When condensation occurs, it can bring mildew, mould, and potential damage along with it, which is a health hazard. Methods To Fix Your Moisture Problem Exterior Waterproofing Exterior waterproofing is one of the biggest undertakings a homeowner can take. This usually means the excavation of the soil surrounding the home's foundation. As you can imagine, this can be a labour-intensive process, requiring heavy tools and machinery. The ideal solution would be to use a polymer-based sealant like our semco liquid membrane during the construction process of your home, and it could last you for the life of the building. Interior Waterproofing Interior waterproofing is the fastest and most cost-effective way to waterproof your basement. These typically begin with ensuring that any cracks or holes in your basement walls, floors, and around windows and doors are properly sealed and watertight. Water most frequently makes its way into your basement via these cracks. Therefore, properly sealing them is the first step towards ensuring your basement stays dry. Interior waterproofing methods, such as waterproof sealants, also do a good job at keeping humidity levels down, preventing condensation. In addition, these coatings can be put onto basement walls and floors, creating a waterproof barrier.  Drainage Systems The goal of these drainage systems is to direct water (whether it be groundwater or rainwater) away from the foundation of your home. However, this solution is more costly and time-consuming as it requires installation equipment. The best is to contact a local construction company to do the work. This section will look at the drainage options for new build basements in a bit more detail. With your external waterproofing system, you will need to provide a drainage system to remove water to an internal sump chamber or soak away point. Land Drains And French Drains To further protect your basement from water ingress, you should install a land drain, sometimes referred to as a French drain. These are laid around the perimeter of the basement at slab level. In essence, you have a trench around the perimeter, which contains a perforated pipe covered with gravel or crushed stone. Water that hits the external surface runs down the membrane through the gravel and is safely removed to a sump chamber, mains drain, or soakaway. This land should be wrapped in a geotextile membrane to stop fine sediments and debris blocking the pipe. Access points and jetting points should also be included for annual maintenance.