How can I prevent water damage in my basement using shower waterproofing around my sump pump area to avoid future disasters?
Asked by Othmar Fett 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 20, 2024
I have a question that might sound silly, but I want to make sure I’m making the right choice here. Our sump pump recently stopped working, and it caused quite a mess in our basement. We had to remove all the wet stuff and dry everything out, and now we need to replace the flooring.
Do you think it would be a good idea to use shower waterproofing in the area under the steps to prevent water from getting into the living space? Maybe around the pump? I know it won’t hold a lot of water for very long, but I feel like we need to do something to fix the issue.
Also, what type of flooring material would you recommend in case this happens again?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this!
Can’t really speak to flooring, but it might be easier to just put in a battery backup pump to ensure you always have that option available.
Instead of building a dam, consider adding redundancy. Have a second pit or a backup pump system if you have the room. Quality systems can be found at plumbing supply stores (avoid the Home Depot ones). Look for water pressure powered units for peace of mind during power outages.
I once had a similar issue with a bathroom below ground level. It took two failed attempts over 12 years, a lot of damaged flooring, and some messy clean-ups before I finally got an alarm that detects water overflow. My advice: build a dam, get an alarm, and make sure to test and maintain it regularly, just like you do with your smoke alarms.
We went with laminate waterproof flooring after a water heater leaked and flooded our bedroom. The other recommendations for dealing with the water issue are also helpful.
Certainly you can
Definitely! In Europe, experts use membranes specifically for that. You can apply membranes on the exterior of a foundation to make it waterproof, so what you’re suggesting is a definite possibility.
Quick money solution is to add a second pump
Consider purchasing carpeting squares for your floors. They are approximately 18 inches square in size. If they get wet, you can simply take them outside, scrub them clean, and let them dry. I have them in my garage and they work wonders.
Thank you so much for your assistance! We will definitely set up an alarm, conduct regular checks, and explore other options to prevent future issues when investing in new flooring.
Hey there , this is the flooring we went with. It’s made of 100% waterproof vinyl. Check it out here: https://www.lowes.com/pd/STAINMASTER/5013567255
I’m in a similar situation too… laminate flooring is definitely not holding up well after being exposed to water. We decided to go with a waterproof spc vinyl plank flooring that we found at Costco, which can supposedly be installed directly on a level concrete floor. However, with appliances like a hot water tank, washing machine, bathroom, and floor drain in the basement, there are potential risks. My first line of defense will be installing an alarm system to detect water in multiple areas.
For your flooring, try using a subfloor like Dricore with rubber on one side. This will allow moisture to pass through and dry underneath while keeping the floor warm.
Make sure to install two pumps that discharge at different heights. If one pump fails, the other will kick in. Additionally, set up a high water alarm at the same level as the secondary pump’s float activation point. This alarm will go off if the first pump fails and the second one is already in use.
Here’s what we ended up doing. We actually had to remove some concrete next to the existing sump because it was a bit small, and then added another sump with a battery backup.
Consider setting up an alarm system for your septic tank. I have one that alerts me when the pump stops working and prevents basement shower drain backups.
When a sump pump fails, it’s not just water coming in from that area – it means the drains under your entire foundation are no longer being pumped out. This can lead to rainwater building up and seeping in anywhere under your floor or around the foundation where there are cracks or seams.
Even though the sump basin is the lowest point, future failures can still result in water throughout the basement, even if you’ve waterproofed the floor and walls around the sump area.
The key to preventing future sump pump failures is a better setup: two pumps, high water alarms, battery backups, monthly checks, and a large enough sump basin to handle two pumps (at least 18″ wide and 30″ deep). With too little volume, the pumps will short cycle, decreasing their lifespan.
Consider getting a sump pump rider on your homeowners insurance for future protection. Make sure your downspouts are extended at least 10 feet away from your home to prevent water buildup