3 Reasons You Need Basement Waterproofing In Your Home

If there’s any improvement you could do to your home for this year, it’s to have your basement waterproofed. While this is an important upgrade, not many homeowners actually think about waterproofing their foundation, because of the hidden nature of basements and foundations. Or perhaps you might just not find the need for it.

But, as a homeowner, it’s always better to be proactive with your approach through basement waterproofing. At the end of the day, its more than just an upgrade for your comfort. It’s also about security, safety, and to improve the function of your basement. It’s better to spend for this layer of protection than to spend for more costly repairs in the future brought about by water damage.

To convince you further, here are three reasons why you need basement waterproofing in your home:

1. Keeps Your Basement Dry

Because of its position underground, it’s normal your basement is going to feel cold and damp. This is true even when there’s no rain or flood water around. Then, when it rains, all the more your basement could get damp. This could leave your basement uncomfortable and even increase the likelihood of molds to develop.

Remember rain isn’t the only reason as to why your basement could feel damp. It could also be the condensation, humidity, and poor ventilation that’s inherent in a basement.

The best approach to such things is to hire a professional waterproofing team. If you’re in America, no matter what your state is, there are several waterproofing companies that could attend to your needs. For example, if you’re living in Boston, Massachusetts you ma want look for different basement waterproofing Boston has and make inquiry.

But if you want to handle the matter yourself, here are also other ways to keep your basement dry:

• Insulate your cold-water pipes;
• Improve the ventilation in your basement;
• Make sure the downspouts are working properly.

2. Reduces The Risk Of Flooding Damage

If you live in an area where the risk of flooding is very high, then all the more you should put importance on waterproofing your basement. You need to protect your basement from the damage that could be brought about by flood water.

When you waterproof your home, you’re reshaping the flow of water. For instance, now you’ll have French drains that can redirect water in safe ways. Not only are you keeping water away from your home, but you’re also reducing the likelihood that water will go inside your home.

In fact, even when you’re not flood-prone, waterproofing is beneficial to help protect against plumbing leaks as well. When you’ve got furnishing in your basement, even the smallest leaks can cause damage.

That said, here are ways flooding damage can affect your home:

• It causes health and safety risks, like structural damage, cut off communication systems in your basement, electrical risks and damage;
• It may lead to loss of life, when someone in the home unknowingly steps on the water where there’s also live electricity;
• It can lead to emotional stress, as, depending on the severity of the damage, this can also cause a mental and emotional toll on the homeowners.

3. Reduces Overall Moisture

Given the high humidity in basements, it’s also not surprising that moisture levels are high. In the summer, this could cause your basement to feel warmer. In effect, the comfort level is reduced, oxidation in metal items and appliances happens which can cause damage on these things, and it also creates a good habitat for mold to thrive.

One very effective way to reduce the overall moisture levels in basements is to waterproof it. When you do so, the direction of water changes, as it now goes upward, rather than sip through downward, once the water evaporates.

Together with waterproofing your basement, these are other good solutions to reduce the overall moisture in your home:

• Evaluate your surface grading, gutters and downspouts;
• Put in a sub-slab depressurization system;
• Create both an exterior and interior drainage system.

As you waterproof your basement, it’s important to also understand the top causes of moisture. In doing so, you and the contractors can evaluate which of these are the key contributors to moisture in your home. With that information, a solution can be provided right from the core, so it doesn’t happen again.

Some of the most common causes of moisture in a household are:

• Interior water leaks from a sink, shower, dishwasher, washing machine, tub, and pipes;
• Ineffective grading of the way that your land slopes;
• Missing and defective downspouts and gutters, as these can easily age over time;
• Cracks in your foundation above and around the basement and;
• Missing drain tiles.

Conclusion

All these considered, it’s really important for you to go back to the nature of basements. Among all other parts in your home, this is the one which is most susceptible to water damage. Because it’s underground, this means it’s surrounded by a lot of soil. This is how the reasons enumerated above come into place. One you waterproof your basement, you’re able to give your home that added layer of protection to enjoy the benefits above.