If your home has a basement, then waterproofing is essential. If you don’t waterproof your basement, then it could either flood or could become very damp. If your home’s basement becomes damp, then it could go on to develop mold and mildew.
The development of mold and mildew in one’s home can be very dangerous, especially for people that suffer from allergies. In some serious cases, mold can result in the development of pneumonia and bronchitis.
This post will explain exactly how you can waterproof your basement, so it neither floods nor becomes damp:
Professional Help
If you have a job, then finding the time to professionally waterproof your basement is going to be impossible. There is a solution, however, and that’s to hire a professional basement waterproofing company.
According to one such basement waterproofing company in Baltimore, water leaking into your home can cause a lot of frustration and anxiety. It’s for this reason that you need to enlist the help of a professional.
If you don’t know what you’re doing and can’t find the time to do it yourself, without professional help, every waking moment is going to be stressful. You also lose a lot of money, because everything that’s stored in the basement could become damaged.
Exterior Waterproofing
If you aren’t going to hire a professional and instead want to do it yourself, then the first step in waterproofing your basement is to waterproof your home’s exterior.
This can be an incredibly expensive process, not to mention difficult. Traditionally, waterproofing is done when a property is built.
If water is getting into your basement, then this is a sign that it is no longer working the way that it should. The main reason for this is cracking appearing in the foundation of one’s home.
In order to properly waterproof your home’s exterior, you need to determine the materials that your home was built from and ascertain how it was originally waterproofed. You can then perform the same waterproofing that the property’s original builders did.
Floor Drain
Prevention is better than cure. Rather than having to deal with a flooded basement, install a floor drain, so that any water that does come in drains away very quickly.
The only reason that a floor drain wouldn’t work is if the drains were backed up, and that was the cause of the flooding. It’s good to have several floor drains, in case lots of water gets inside.
A drain, when working properly, will keep standing water out of your basement and will prevent your belongings from becoming damaged. Make sure to install a drain with a sump pump, to help push water out of the drain, so the drain doesn’t back up.
Mortar Cracks
As mentioned already, a common cause of basement leaking is cracks in the foundation of your home. If cracks in your home’s foundation form, then water getting in can become more frequent.
A good way to treat this is to find the areas of mortar that are cracked, and then fill them in. This is an effective form of DIY waterproofing, but isn’t as effective as a professional waterproofing company’s solution would be. Most waterproofing companies don’t just use mortar alone, because it can crack again.
Foundation Clay
A very common tactic utilized by waterproofing companies to prevent water from getting into their customers’ basements is to drill holes near the foundation, and then pour clay into them to create a seal around the cracks.
Clay can seal cracks and provide an effective barrier. This is a rather antiquated method, but it’s still effective, and still employed.
It is very easy to do, especially when you aren’t an expert. However, it can be difficult to fully stop serious leaks with clay. It can also be expensive, much more so than hiring a professional to come in and do it for you.
Using Epoxy
Applying epoxy is another effective waterproofing method, which is used by many professional companies. Epoxy works best if cracks are relatively small, but not tiny. It can be a very long-lasting solution, although only really works if you don’t have extensive flooding.
It’s better for leaks that are causing widespread dampness and mold, rather than leaks that are flooding out your basement. If you only have a few cracks in your basement, then this is a good option. If your basement has lots of them, then epoxy won’t be a good solution.
Rubber Sealant
Most professional waterproofing companies use rubber sealants. Rubber sealants, when applied professionally, are the best waterproofing solutions.
If you aren’t an expert waterproofer, then it’s a good idea to avoid this method and to allow a professional to do it.
The chemicals can be very dangerous, so if you aren’t trained in their use, you could end up hurting yourself. A professional service will be able to administer them on your behalf so that you aren’t exposed to anything that could make you unwell or cause illness.
French Drains
French drains are an ancient method of flood prevention. If you want to install one in your home, then you will need a trench that’s filled with a pipe and rocks.
The pipe has holes drilled into it, so that water can pass through and out. You can use a French drain to divert outside water, keeping it away from your home. You can use this method to prevent ground-level and basement flooding.
However, in order to install one, you will need lots of room around your house. You can likely hire a professional to do it for you.
Landscaping
You can hire a professional landscaping company to slope the ground away from your house, so that water runs down. This is an extremely effective solution for eliminating flooding and water.
When it rains, water will run away from, rather than into your house. Professional landscaping isn’t cheap, but it is effective. It’s unlikely that you will be able to do it yourself.
If you experience regular flooding, then it’s time to change that. The suggestions outlined in this post can resolve your issues, ensuring that your home’s basement never floods again. Preventing floods and dampness can save your belongings and prevent your family from being exposed to mold and mildew.