How to take care of your basement?

A basement consists of walls, beams, and columns, which support the entire structure of your house by absorbing its pressure evenly. But when the earth beneath the concrete slabs of the foundation becomes excessively moist due to the collecting rainwater, the trouble begins. Oversaturation leads the soil to swell and which in turn pushes the layer of the concrete upwards. All this upheaval eventually results in the development of the cracks in the walls. And more cracks mean more entrapment of moisture that can further lead to the problem of dampness in the house. It works like a chain reaction.

To make sure it does not blow out of proportion, you have to take care of your basement from the beginning. Here are a few tricks that can guide you on this.

Treat mold and dampness on time

As soon as you encounter any wetness on the walls or formation of dark spots on floors, walls, or storage boxes, you should call the experts for fixing the problem.

Check the drainpipe

Inspect the drainage system of your roof. The correct construction and installation of downspouts and gutters are critical as otherwise, it can lead to the problem of pooling of the water near the foundation. To avoid this issue, you need to pay attention to the location of the downspout, which should drain water at about 5feet distance from the foundation.

Have a look around the sump pump

If there is a sump pump in your house, make sure that it functions properly. It should turn on and off as per the level of the water. Keep the strainer screen of the pump always clean. In case the sump pump discharge lines are on the ground, you have to ensure that it drains water at a significant distance from the house. If the pipes are underground, you have to check its connection for leakage or freezing. Ideally, you should replace the sump pump in five years to avoid the risk of flooding in the basement.

Examine the beams and columns

Check house girders for any unusual sloping, slanting, or any such issues. If you come across any damp, insect infestation, or gapping problem, you must get it fixed soon.

Install leak detection device in the basement

Install a leak detection system near water heaters, window sills, sump pumps, boilers, and other such areas near the basement that can alert you whenever there is a flooding or leakage issue.

Insulate the ductwork and pipes in the basement

If you notice that the air from your air conditioner or heating system is leaking in the unfinished part of the basement, then you can use duct tape to cover it to stop the wastage of energy. You should also insulate the water pipes so that they neither consume extra energy in winters nor they become damp in summers.

Since it may not be possible for you to keep an eye everywhere and understand the real problem, you should make sure to be in touch with a professional service provider, such as Complete Basement Systems, so that you