Water damage can affect homes and businesses in numerous ways. From weather-related events and flooding to pipe bursts, properties are very prone to suffering water damage. In fact, because there are so many different ways that water can damage your home or business, it is known as the most common type of property damage.
Basements, in particular, are prone to becoming damaged by water. No matter how you use your basement — whether it’s a finished space you use on a consistent basis or it’s a storage area for your home — you should do whatever you can to prevent it from becoming affected by water damage. An effective way to do that is to waterproof your basement.
Keep reading to learn why basement waterproofing is important and how you can waterproof your basement.
Why Should I Waterproof My Basement?
To Protect Any Personal Belongings
A lot of people keep and store their personal belongings in the basement of their home. Some people have televisions, video game consoles, and other entertainment equipment in their basement. Some people use their basement as a play area for their children, keeping all kinds of toys down there. Some people store Christmas décor and other seasonal belongings in their basement, stowed away until they’re needed.
No matter what belongings you keep in your basement, you don’t want these items to become ruined. You especially don’t want them to be affected by water, because water can damage many objects. By waterproofing your basement, you can prevent these items from being damaged by water or flooding.
To Limit Moisture and Reduce the Potential for Flooding
Basement waterproofing will keep water from your home and limit the amount of water that can seep into your home. Because of this, there will be less moisture that comes into contact with your basement. This also means it’ll be less likely for the basement to flood due to rain and other exterior water sources.
The decreased moisture levels can also make for a more comfortable basement. In the summer, this moisture can make the home feel even warmer. This moisture can also affect products made of paper and oxidize metal materials.
To Protect Your Property’s Structure
If your basement and/or foundation are affected by moisture, then they can become damaged. The moisture can cause walls to bow and/or develop cracks. Bowing walls are concerning, because they’re unstable and might even fall in. If cracks form, then even more water and moisture can come into contact with your property and further ruin its structure. With basement waterproofing, you can protect your property’s structure from cracking and bowing.
To Prevent Mold Growth
Moisture is an important ingredient for mold growth. Because of this, mold growth is common in areas with excessive amounts of water and moisture. As long as there’s moisture, mold can grow and continue to spread. This makes basements with moisture prone to becoming an area affected by mold growth.
If you waterproof your basement, there won’t be as much moisture making its way to that area of your home. This decreased amount of moisture then lessens the chance for any mold to develop.
How Do I Waterproof My Basement?
Fill in Cracks
You should start the interior basement waterproofing process by filling in cracks. Inspect your basement’s floor and walls for any cracks. These will need to be sealed using a basement crack sealer to prevent water from entering through these spaces. It’s important to use a basement crack sealer instead of a standard sealant, because they are designed to be waterproof and stop leaks.
Apply Sealant to Basement Walls
Once all cracks have been filled, apply a cement-based basement concrete sealant to the walls as well. Using this specific type of sealer has proven to be one of the more effective waterproofing sealers. Use at least two coats, waiting two hours until applying another coat. This step also ensures that all cracks are properly addressed.
Afterwards, you can also use waterproofing paint for your basement’s walls and any areas with filled-in cracks to provide extra protection against moisture.
Install a Sump Pump
If you don’t already have a sump pump in your basement, install one. Water collects in the sump pit and is then pumped out of it and away from the property. This will keep water from your basement to ensure it will remain dry.
In the event that you already have a sump pump installed, check to make sure it’s still working correctly and effectively moves water away from your basement. If it’s not functioning properly, check for an obstruction that’s preventing the water from being pumped out. Otherwise, you should purchase and install a new one.
What Should I Do If My Basement Suffers Water Damage?
Whether your basement is already waterproofed or has yet to be waterproofed, you can find yourself in a situation where your basement is still affected by water damage. No matter what, you must seek professional help right away. If there’s excess water and/or moisture present, it will continue to spread and cause damage until it has been removed. The situation also creates an ideal environment for mold growth.
ServiceMaster NCR can help you out through the water damage restoration services we provide in the Washington D.C. metro area. With water damage restoration help from us, all of the excess water in your basement will be extracted, and all of the damage it has caused will be restored.
If the water damage has triggered mold growth, then we can help with that as well. At ServiceMaster NCR, we also offer mold remediation and mold removal services. Because of this, our professional technicians can also handle mold removal, ensuring the fungus is removed entirely so that your basement is a clean and healthy environment.
