If you are a homeowner and do not know the benefits you can derive from basement waterproofing, this article is for you. Below are the reasons why you should consider waterproofing your basement.

Reduces Power Bills

Waterproofing your basement helps to lower the amount you pay monthly for electricity or power. During basement waterproofing, all the holes and cracks in the basement get sealed as well as any crevices found. This process ensures effective blocking out of the moisture and cold.

Besides, basement waterproofing prevents cold or warm air from getting out of the house because there will not be holes or cracks available any longer.

Why you Should Consider Waterproofing your Basement

Prevents Stores Item from Damage

If you use your basement mainly for storing items and materials, it can be an ideal store only if it is waterproofed. A leaky and moisture-filled basement would ruin items such as clothes, books, electronics, beddings, albums, toys, etc. By waterproofing your basement, you are ensuring that the items and properties stored in your basement would be preserved and in good condition. If your basement is flooded, it’s best to call a water damage restoration company to help clean up the mess.

Waterproofing your basement helps to lower the amount you pay monthly for electricity or power.

Curtails Long-term Health Risks

Water and moisture are crucial to the growth of potentially toxic moulds growing in the basement. Mould and mildew can cause damages to the respiratory system, headaches, itchy skin and eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing.

Why you Should Consider Waterproofing your Basement

The side effects could be mild or severe. When you waterproof your basement, you are doing a lot of good to yourself and family because you would be able to avoid health risks that moulds and mildew could cause due to a wet or damp basement.

Reduces Insurance Costs

Waterproofing basement is one of the ways by which you can reduce your monthly insurance premiums, especially if you have a policy that covers water damage, mould growth, and other related damages. Basement waterproofing would reduce these risks, and the insurer would offer discounts based on your basement waterproofing.

Protects the Foundation

In addition to protecting the interior of your home, basement waterproofing will also protect the foundation of your home against damage. The absorbed moisture is capable of cracking the foundation of a building. By waterproofing your basement, there will not be any inlet for water to compromise the structural integrity of the foundation of the house. The impact and financial consequences of a damaged foundation.

Know that seemingly little moisture in your basement is capable of causing big problems, waterproofing your basement is the best project to prevent all forms of problems that water seepage causes.

Did you just purchase a resale home? Are you searching for top things you need to do when you move into a resale home? Do not stress out; here are the top things you must do before and when you pack into a resale home.

Change the Locks

Being a resale home, some people have previously occupied the home and have keys to the home. The best thing to do is to change the locks to the main entrances of the house to ensure that you are the only person who has access. You can call a locksmith or go for a DIY procedure if you have the knack for it.

Window Replacement

In addition to providing your home with a new look, windows replacement will also improve the energy efficiency of your home and make you feel comfortable. Window replacement is one of the top things to do when you move into a resale home.

Top Things to do when you Move into a Resale Home

Basement Waterproofing

Prevention is better than cure. You must prioritize basement waterproofing when you move into a resale home or expect to call a  water damage restoration company. Prevent water leakage in the basement and potential flooding. This way, you can rest assured that your basement is free from water damage, mould and mildew growth, and other attendant inconveniences.

Check for Plumbing Leak

During a home inspection, before you closed the purchase deal, the plumbing of the home must have been examined. However, you have to be sure that it is intact now that you will be using water and the entire plumbing system. Ensure that there are no leaks, and if there are any, have them fixed by a professional plumber.

Replace the Toilet Seats

Change the toilet seats to feel like the home is indeed yours and you would be free from worrying about what happened in it before you purchased the home. You can choose a detachable toilet seat to personalize the toilet.

Invest in Pest Control

Another top thing to do when you move into a resale home is to control the pests in the home. You do not necessarily have to know the level of pest activities in the house; hire a professional company for pest control to prevent rats, mice, roaches, spiders, and other pests from overrunning your home.

Get Familiar with the Circuit Breaker Box and Shutoff Valve

You must know where your breaker box and shutoff valves are located. Before you move in, see where the main water valves and gas shutoff valves are placed – this is essential for your safety.

Your basement is prone to “water attacks” with time. This can make up very big damages to the home, hence, the need for basement waterproofing. Waterproofing requires the introduction of materials that help prevent water from permeating the whole essence of the basement.

In each case of waterproofing, the processes all start with a consultation. Here are some of the processes underlying these kinds of basement waterproofing.

External Basement Waterproofing

External basement waterproofing has been highlighted as the best method for protecting the basement against water. The processes involved here are quite more elaborate and labour-intensive than the internal basement waterproofing. After consultancy of a plumbing agency, they analyze the problem and work begins based on recommendation.

Processes involved in external basement waterproofing include:

  1. Excavation

This can be otherwise called digging around. It involves striking through the earth until the foundation walls are visible. If the only problems involved are with the weeping tiles and or French drain, then full excavation will not be necessary. Excavation is typically between 4 to 8 feet.

  1. Fix Cracks and Clean

If the foundation has weeping tiles, they are detached from the foundation walls and cleaned. There usually is a possibility for cracks permitting water into the foundation. This process finds such cracks and fixes them with hydraulic cement which is a coat that expands. Hydraulic cement reduces the possibility of cracks even in the future.

Process of Basement Waterproofing

  1. Application of Membrane

This thoroughly shields the foundation from water. It involves the use of polyurethane materials. The use of quality products here is essential. Elastomeric membranes, for example, are great waterproofs. They can move to inhibit cracks when they eventually occur.

  1. Installation of Drainage Mat

You will need to install a drainage membrane that has moulded dimple sheets. It is usually sized the same depth as the foundation. It acts to inhibit lateral pressure for the foundation and serves as a drainage membrane.

After these processes, the French drain or weeping tile is installed at the bottom of the footing weeping underneath the basement floor. Then, backfilling is done with the native soil excavated from the foundation. And the home is secure.

Your basement is prone to “water attacks” with time. This can make up very big damages to the home, hence, the need for basement waterproofing.

Internal Basement Waterproofing

This is inferior to the external basement waterproofing. It is done in cases where the foundation cannot be accessed directly or where excavation is optimal. It begins with consultancy and identification of the problem areas.

The processes involved include;

  • Breaking the floor area involved, about 7-10 inches away from the walls of the foundation.
  • Installation of the weeping tile (3 inch and perforated) is done after the concretes are removed.
  • The weeping tile is connected to a floor drain or pump
  • Dimpled membrane drainage sheet and ¾ inch gravel are added to the weeping tile.
  • Concrete is used at the last stage on the exposed part back to the ground level.

External and internal basement waterproofing are both essential based on situations to counter water permeation. The external method is preferred because it attacks the problem from the real source. Contact your local plumbing company to get a perfect response on your basement waterproofing needs.