The Do’s And Don’ts Of Basement Waterproofing
No homeowner would ever want a wet basement. This could be extremely unpleasant and hazardous for your health, too. Once the water has found its way inside your house, it can be costly and hard to fix.
To prevent this from happening, here are simple basement waterproofing dos and don’ts you should follow:
Dos
- Clean The Gutters Regularly
Clogged and cluttered gutters can cause serious problems on your property. Clogging can happen if you don’t clean your gutters regularly, so they fail to do what they are supposed to be doing.
The same can also be said about overflowing gutters because they can send water to the basement instead of going into your lawn.This can lead to severe flooding and foundation damage over time.
Therefore, save yourself from having to deal with a flooded basement by cleaning the gutters regularly.
- Check Where Leaks Are Coming From
You need to find the source of the problemwhen handling a leaky basement. Check to see where the water is coming from and have it fixed immediately.
This is a common issue that usually happens after doing the waterproofing yourself or if you hired an experienced contractor. The truth is, if you don’t address the root cause of the problem, all your efforts will go to waste. It’s also worth noting that the source is usually not visible to our naked eyes. You have to get to the source so you can immediately look for a solution.
It’s also better if you hire a licensed and experienced professional to figure out where the water is leaking from. This can either be through the ground or windows, so leave the job to professionals to ensure a successful outcome.
- Check For Cracks
You should check for cracks in the foundation of your basement if you want it to stay waterproof for a long time. If you notice some moisture or water in the basement, you should carefully check the walls or ground for any damage or cracks. Water can easily seep into your home through any crack in theseareas.
Once you found a crack, be sure to seal it up immediately before it gets worse over time.
- Call A Professional
This is perhaps the best thing you can do when it comes to basement waterproofing. You should always call experts to provide professional waterproofing for your property. This is because they have the skills, knowledge, tools, and most importantly, experience to get the job done. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that you can rely on their services and that no matter what happens, your basement will never get flooded.
The immediate benefit of calling in a professional is that they can perform a thorough inspection of your property right away. They will find any small crack or damage where water might get through.
Don’ts
- Using DIY Sealants
If you’re a DIY homeowner, you should know that sealants are only fora temporary fix. This is especially true when it comes to home waterproofing. A sealant may fix the problemtemporarily, but it’s never a long-term solution. It may even cause foundation problems that may be very expensive to repair down the line.
Avoid using a sealant to cover up a small leak or crack as much as possible. Even though it can fix the problem, it will eventually wear away. Instead, fix the source of the leak so you can solve the issue, or better yet, call a professional for help.
- Not Cleaning Up After A Flood
If you live in an area where flooding is frequent, you should never ignore the importance of cleaning up after a heavy storm. Your basement is sure to be in a mess after a flood, yet it is often neglected by many homeowners.
You must clean up your basement after a flood. This means clearing out everything and keeping it clean and dry. If you don’t do this,the floodwater left in the basement can lead to mold buildup.
Cleaning after a flood is also critical before you start waterproofing your basement. You can only proceed with the waterproofing process once the basement is clean and dry.
Summing Up
Basement waterproofing is essential, especially if you want to protect your property against severe water damage. Be proactive in looking after your basement so you can keep it clean and dry at all times.Moreover, be sure to follow the dos and don’ts in this article so you won’t have a hard time waterproofing a basement.
