Basement waterproofing products will keep your basement dry, prevent mold and mildew and make your basement more usable.

Begin by diverting water away from your foundation with properly installed gutters and downspouts. This is the first step to a dry basement . Downspouts can be extended a short distance from the house for optimum water diversion.

Assess the condition of your basement. If the walls are painted and plant to apply a barrier sealant, the walls should be scraped and sanded. If there are large cracks in the floor or walls, these need to repaired. Fill thin cracks with a waterproofing mix. Clean out large holes and cracks in floors and walls and apply waterproofing mix.

Once the walls are properly prepared, several types of sealants can be applied. These sealants will create a barrier that keep moisture from seeping through the walls. They work best for dampness and seepage. If you have flooding in your basement, these products will need to be used in conjunction with drainage improvements.

Sealer paints are brushed onto the floor and walls of the basement. These products are easy to apply but follow label instructions carefully. Adequate ventilation is a must. A brush or paint roller can be used. Typically, these products are not sprayed.

For cement walls and floors, a good fiberglass-based sealant can be applied. It will fill small cracks and leaks and prevent further water penetration.

If your foundation is made of brick or stone, look for a product designed for these natural materials. Products for this specific application allow the stone to breathe while keeping excess moisture out.

Both of these types of sealants may need two applications for maximum effectiveness. They are usually water-based and can be thinned with water. Clean up is easy as well.

If larger amounts of water are entering your basement, you may need to improve drainage around your house. A french drain — a trench into which a drain pipe is laid — keeps water out of your basement by diverting it away from the foundation. These drains can become clogged with mud and silt over time, so they do require occasional maintenance.

A sump is a small reservoir under your basement that fills when the groundwater rises. A pump forces the water up and away from your house. Sump pumps are powered by electricity, so a batter back-up is recommended so that the pump will operate in a power failure. Sump pumps are often installed at the time of construction but they can be installed in an existing basement as well.

Severe basement flooding may require excavation, drainage improvements and the application of exterior barrier. A qualified contractor or basement waterproofing specialist can provide information on all of these options.