Waterproof Your Basement!
Imagine this: It’s 6:30 am and you just woke up. After you’ve brushed your teeth and gotten ready for work, you realize you forgot your charger in the basement. As you walk down the stairs leading to your dark basement, your foot finally touches the basement floor and you hear a “splash”. On top of the damaged contents, your walls and floor have likely suffered damage.
The longer water is left untreated, the more severe and expensive the water damage repair job will become. Of course, this is a harsh scenario. A humid/wet/damp basement can result in anything from peeling paint to mold growth, damaged contents, and damage to floors and walls.
If a dehumidifier can’t do the job, or the problem persists, consider waterproofing your home.
Time
Even though during the construction phase of your home the necessary steps are taken to waterproof your basement, it won’t last forever. Over time, a home tends to settle, compromising the structural integrity of the basement walls, creating cracks. When an overabundance of water saturates the surrounding soil, it seeps into any cracks your basement walls might have, finding itself on the floor or inside the basement walls.
Water in your basement will either gather in a puddle or evaporate, making the basement humid. High humidity WILL lead to mold growth (which means you’ll need mold remediation), which can cause a boatload of extra problems.
Interior waterproofing
Yes, you can take on this challenge by yourself, but It’s always a great idea to call a professional. After the damage has been remediated, the professional will look for the source of the damage. If your damage is not extensive, filling in cracks with hydraulic cement will be the best remedy. This is the best-case scenario and can be a DIY task. Interior waterproofing will take place when damage has occurred, making it a strictly reactive approach. For a highly effective, proactive approach, consider an exterior waterproofing project.
Exterior waterproofing
Instead of waiting for the water to find your home, why not keep the water away completely. The first step in this process will consist of digging out the dirt surrounding your home. Second, a waterproof barrier will be applied to the basement walls along with a moisture barrier, making your basement impenetrable. Along with upping your defense, drainage panels will also be incorporated, leading the flow of water away from your home. After all the work has been completed, the excavated dirt will be placed back into the ground.
When considering the size of an average home, the sum of this investment will be anywhere between $9,000 to $15,000.
Recap
Uncontrolled water and homes DO NOT mix; waterproofing is essential in every home.
According to the experts, exterior waterproofing is the absolute BEST way to protect your home from floods, but it’s usually the most expensive.
If you’re considering waterproofing your basement or would like to learn more about the waterproofing process, interior or exterior, call the professionals at Total Restore!
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