Top 8 Reasons Why You Should Waterproof Your Basement

outside basement waterproofing sheet

As a responsible homeowner, there are a lot of things you need to accomplish to keep your residence in tip-top shape. You need to maintain your roofs to avoid leaks during the rainy season. You should also trim your yard regularly and paint your walls when they deteriorate.

One of the most important but neglected often is your basement. Maintaining your basement is essential to prevent structural damage and avoid costly repairs. The good news is you can do it yourself with the help of basement waterproofing products. Better yet, call a basement waterproofing service like ’58 Foundations.

How to Do a DIY Basement Maintenance in 6 Easy Steps

One important thing to remember in maintaining your basement is to keep it clean and dry. A wet or damp basement leads to the emergence of mold, fungus, and mildew. It can also cause health issues, like allergies and asthma, to your family.

basement waterproofing and under floor drainage system

Here are essential tips for maintaining your basement properly:

  • Make sure your landscaping does not cause water accumulation to your house’s foundation. To do this, keep a ground slope away from your walls. You can also place gravel or rocks around your exterior walls to absorb the humidity.
  • Inspect your downspouts and gutters before the start of the rainy season to make sure they are functioning correctly. Check if they are in proper position and remove all debris and other foreign objects to ensure water runs smoothly.
  • If your cold water pipes run through your basement, insulate them properly to avoid condensation, which will cause dampness. Well-insulated piping will also lead to lower electricity costs.
  • If possible, do not wash and dry your laundry in your basement. If you cannot avoid it, install a dehumidifier and exhaust fan to prevent the accumulation of moisture.
  • Install metal window wells rather than regular windows to maintain a moisture-free basement.
  • Apply water-resistant paint or other basement waterproofing products to prevent moisture accumulation and maintain the dryness of your basement.

Top Benefits of Waterproofing Your Basement

Waterproofing membrane for basement Floors

Having excess water in your basement can cause you lots of problems. On the other hand, a waterproofed basement has many advantages and benefits. Here are some of them:

  • It prevents water accumulation and flooding in your basement.
  • Significant reduction in your insurance claims costs. A flooded basement, structural damage, cracked walls, and other signs of deterioration can increase your insurance claims costs substantially. Maintaining your basement can save you a lot of money.
  • It maintains the cleanliness and appeal of your interiors. It will also prevent the emergence of viruses that can cause allergies, respiratory infections, and other diseases to your family. Can you imagine the appearance of your basement with lots of molds, mildew, and fungus? It will surely be appalling. Waterproofing your basement will avoid this scenario.
  • Substantial cut in your cooling and heating costs due to low humidity in your home.
  • Prevents severe structural damage in your abode by preventing the entry of excess water.
  • Protects your basement flooring.
  • It increases the resale value of the house.
  • Protects your belongings that are stored in your basement.

A flooded basement can cause you lots of stress and money. By prioritizing to waterproof your basement using basement waterproofing products, you can avoid severe damage and maintain its cleanliness and dryness.

Questions and Answers About Waterproofing Your Basement

Q: Is a wet basement a real problem?

A: Many homeowners think that a wet basement doesn’t pose any real threats, but it’s not a problem that is going to solve on its own. A leaking basement or a basement that gives a lot of moisture will also attract toxic black mold and even damage the structure of the foundation.

A leaky basement will also increase the risk of soaking the stored belongings, raising the risk of black mold. Waterproofing the basement will ensure the value of the home and keep things under control.

Q: Does the mold in the basement lead to any health concerns?

A: The connection between mold and dangerous health conditions has been studied for years. It’s beyond a doubt that mold leads to respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, and asthma. According to several studies, almost all chronic sinus infections are caused by fungus.

There are plenty of other health conditions induced by mold, with a sore throat, headaches, and eye irritation as severe symptoms. Pregnant women, young children, and the elderly are prone to develop conditions caused by mold.

Q: How do you know that your basement is leaking?

A: There are plenty of apparent signs for basement leaking, such as water trickling down the walls or puddles of water on the floor. Musty smells, a fast increase of the mildew/mold, white/chalky substance on the walls, and dry roots are some of the most common signs of a leaking basement. Warped wood or paneling, cracks in the floor, or in the walls, along with bubbling wallpaper and paint peeling off, are also signs that your basement is leaking.

Q: What are the most common causes of basement leaks?

A: Cracks in the floor or walls is where water can seep into your basement, but there are plenty of other ways causing your basement to leak. You should seek for the weak spots around the cellar, such as the junctures where the floor touches the walls, the mortar joints, or the tie rods reinforcing masonry. The window wells and the top of the foundation are also places to check for leakage. Plumbing is a common cause as well.

Q: Are there any issues causing mold in the basement?

A: Typically, wet basement happens in houses built in low-level regions at the bottoms of hills or slopes. The settling of the home or the regular shifting can also lead to leakage. A poorly made foundation or a weak drainage system can also lead to a wet basement. Home additions, even from your neighbors or new swimming pools, can be the main culprit of leaks in the basement.

Q: Can you solve the leakage of the basement on your own?

A: The materials you will find at the local hardware store will not give the most impressive results. You may still manage the waterproofing on your own. Extending the downspouts or cleaning the gutters regularly are some of the little things you can do to reduce the risk of a wet basement.

If you’ve run all of the things you can do on your own and the problem isn’t fixed, you will need to hire the professionals for waterproofing your basement.

Plenty of homeowners try to fix it on their own but end up calling the professionals. Almost all of them regret not calling the professionals from day one.

Q: What can you do for waterproofing your home?

A: You need to keep the water away from your home’s foundation, and there are a couple of things to do it. Make sure that the ground around your home sloped away from it. You don’t want any shrubbery or plants around either, as they may not let the sunlight dry out the soil. You can also install the downspouts and gutters, cleaning them of debris regularly. They should also drain away from the foundation. Don’t forget to cover the windows so that they don’t collect water either.

Q: How much should you pay for waterproofing the basement?

A: It’s not an easy answer, as it depends a lot on the size of repairing. The estimates should be free, nevertheless. The professionals should provide you the most affordable and functional solution for your specific problem. A minor problem should cost you a couple of hundred dollars, whereas larger projects can cost several thousand dollars.

Q: Should you waterproof the basement with waterproofing paint?

A: Even if your basement is only leaking after a heavy rain, you shouldn’t rely on waterproofing paint. This paint is made for sealing walls for reducing the risk of moisture passing through. Humidity isn’t water seepage in any way. Even if some waterproofing paint will win you some time, the water doesn’t go away, and it’s still going to push on the wall or floor. Finding the best way to remove water is an efficient solution.

Q: Do you need to wait many days until the basement waterproofing is done?

A: Obviously, it depends on the size of the problem. 1 to 3 days is the common amount of time needed for waterproofing the basement. When the job isn’t done in a day, a professional will come back the next day until your basement remains dry entirely.

About Amanda

I love to buy a lot of products for the home, and dissect them out. I split them into duds and winners, and share the findings here on my site. As a reader of my site, I'm aiming for your next purchase to be an informed and inspired one.

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