The Dos & Don'ts Of Effective Basement Waterproofing For Homeowners
Posted on: 9 July 2020
A basement is a valuable addition to any home, but a wet basement is anything but. If you have been looking at basement waterproofing options, there are a few dos and don'ts you should know.
Do make sure all cracks and holes are properly filled and sealed
If you have cracks and holes in basement walls, there is a good chance this is where your water problems are coming from. Even if you are not seeing water seep through these spots, it is best to go ahead and fill them with a waterproofing mortar. Professional basement waterproofing contractors go through a painstaking process of filling every small flaw, hole, gap, or crack because this is the only way to achieve a truly protected space.
Don't neglect to tend to water issues around windows
Basement windows often leave a lot to be desired because they are not all that efficient and sometimes do not have good seals around them. If you are having even the slightest issues with water around basement windows, these are issues that have to be managed to really end up with a dry basement. Something as simple as a window well around a basement window that constantly floods and seeps down the wall can leave you with ongoing moisture problems.
Do pay enough attention to protecting the exterior of the basement
The water issues you have in your basement can be closely related to what is taking place outside of the house. If you have bad gutters, water flowing toward the house, or a lack of storm drains, it can make keeping a dry basement even harder to handle.
Don't start working on the basement until you have it mostly dry
This is one of the most novice mistakes ever, and it really is easy to make because most people assume that if there is still dampness in the basement, it is fine to start working. It is actually really important to make sure the basement is as dry as possible before you get started working on it. The more moisture you have, the more it can interfere with your waterproofing methods. For example, a damp basement wall is going to be harder to seal with waterproof paint than a dry one. You may have to wait, you may have to be patient, and you may need the help of professionals to get the basement dry because they have the right equipment.
Contact a basement waterproofing service to learn more.
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