The Importance of Basement Waterproofing
Basement waterproofing has become a standard for all houses these days. Practically every homeowner understands the importance of keeping their home free from flooding and leaking. Naturally, people that own homes don’t want to have water damage problems. And not builders ensure that proper waterproofing methods are followed.
The problem is that a mold, mildew and bacteria can flourish in these kinds of environments. What is mold? It’s a type of fungi that occurs naturally. In most cases it doesn’t cause any problems, but when it starts spreading throughout a house it can cause health issues including chronic respiratory ailments.
Most times a test for mold will show the real natureof the situation, but frequently it’s easy to see. However, mold is just one of many problems that are caused by a poorly waterproofed basement. The same cracks that let water into your home provide easy access for rodents and termites. Your home can suffer great damage by these invaders.
Not only is it a potential health hazard, it can cause a serious depreciation in property value. It’s for these reasons that it’s almost always a good idea to ensure your basement is properly waterproofed. Not only will it cost less than professional mold remediation, it also makes your basement a nicer place to live.
You must be proactive in dealing with the potential problem. Once mold gains a foothold, it needs to be removed. Whatever gets contaminated needs to be replaced. And if you’re a landlord you’re not going to enjoying dealing with aggravated tenants.
If you have the inclination, there are some things you can do on your own. Of course, the activity needs to match your skill level. There are two relatively simple things you can check first, to help reduce water from gathering around your foundation. With a little bit of muscle and very minimal skills, you can get the job done.
First you need to check the slope of the ground running against the side of the building. Over the years the earth has a tendency to sink down towards the house, which is not good.You need the water to run away from the house walls, not in their direction. If that’s the situation then add some gravel around the house to change the slope of the land.
Another item to check for is the downspouts from the eaves troughs. They need to be far enough away from the side of the house, about six feet, to ensure that water doesn’t flow into the basement. That way the water will get absorbed into the ground as it exits the downspout. The spring-type extension are nice because they only unroll when they fill up with water. Not only are they useful, they’re also unobtrusive.
Typically short downspouts and incorrect sloping of the ground are found in many homes. Older homes are notorious for this. Before calling in a professional, you may want to perform these inspections yourself, and undertake any corrections if you are able.
It’s a much better idea to tackle the job of waterproofing your basement now, before the problems start. Waterproofing your basement doesn’t have to break the bank. Companies exist that do a good job at a reasonable price.Now is the time to make sure your basement remains dry and problem free. It’s a better idea to tackle the problem before it actually occurs.
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