As a homeowner, you should secure your family and property from all types of mishaps. You cannot predict problems; hence it gets more challenging to take immediate steps once it happens.
Basement waterproofing is one thing that comes under this heading when you think you may have a water issue or get your basement flooded. While early inspection is essential to lower the financial, structural, and health damage linked with water damage, you may need help determining the concerns and measures to address them.
Here are a few things to consider before going for basement waterproofing:
Water damage signs
Damp flooring, the appearance of chalky particles on the wall, cracking, peeling paint or wet carpet, mold growth, or moldy smell is some water damage signs that should instantly be addressed.
You need to carry out a proper inspection to detect these issues. If your foundation floor or walls have carpeting or paneling, you should remove them for inspection.
For a better understanding of the situation, you can hire a professional. Besides offering a free basement inspection, a contractor will suggest you meet the concerns.
Every basement waterproofing project is different, and hence unique solutions should be suggested to address them.
Efficient basement waterproofing options
You have three basement waterproofing solutions: an instant fix, long-term remediation, or a blend of both.
Suppose you have a clogged drain, broken sewer lines, inefficient backfilling, leaking windows, inefficient sump pump, or condensation problems. In that case, you can choose quick-fix remedies for it, such as waterproofing paint, crack injections, and sump pump replacement.
Long-term remedies include:
- Installing a new membrane system.
- Replacing exterior drain.
- Installing interior drain, and more.
Time to complete
It takes around one to five days to complete a basement waterproofing project. Before starting the work, make sure you discuss the completion time with your contractor.
Repair or wait
Small waterproofing problems may impact your budget, but delaying them may lead to higher expenses in other ways.
The longer you wait, the more is the risk that your basement will be flooded and its content will get wrecked.
In or out
The right way to waterproof your basement is to avoid water from creating pressure on your foundation walls and entering inside. Drain tiles are installed for that. But they need proper maintenance.
If your basement is unfinished or used for storage, an interior waterproofing method is recommended. If you have set up an appealing landscape, an interior method is recommended. So, depending on the amount of damage and other considerations, you can choose interior waterproofing or exterior waterproofing methods.
Future plans
When choosing the waterproofing method, you should consider what you want to do with your basement in the coming time.
Do you want to upgrade it, abandon it, finish it or let it remain like this? Considering your plans will help you determine the type of waterproofing you want to go with.
If you plan to sell your house, make sure you manage the water issues efficiently. According to stats, homeowners with good waterproofing got an increment of 20% in their home’s value.
