If the basement of your home has damp floors, leaky cracks, and wet walls, then it’s safe to say that your heart isn’t where your home is — at least when it’s safe to say it’s not in the basement of all places! A damp basement isn’t just a nuisance when it comes to owning a home, it can be an all out nightmare! Whether they’re caused by flooding due to a natural disaster, a cracked washing machine pipe that finally gives way, a frozen pipe that finally burst, or because a homeowner neglected to repair basement leaks before they became a real problem, dealing with a wet basement is anything but pleasant.
Wet basements can be caused by any of the aforementioned things, but many people falsely assume that only unfinished basements are subject to issues with water, including leaks, dampness, excess moisture, cracks, and mold growth. While unfinished basements may be at a higher risk for dampness, moisture, and other water related issues, finished basements can still experience water damage. Also, it’s quite possible for unfinished basements to experience little to no issues with water at all, while a finished basement on the other hand, may experience many. The climate surrounding the area the home was built on in addition to the diligence of the homeowner in terms of preventing water from find its way into the home are important factors when it comes to how dry a basement stays.
Aside from fire, home’s worst enemy is water; the very thing that makes life on earth possible. The downside is that water damage can make your home life a nightmare! Whether it’s a leaky roof, a leaky faucet, a storm that floods your basement, or humidity caused by too many houseplants, water has the ability to cost homeowners a few pretty pennies in terms of costly repairs.
Home waterproofing is the best way to prevent issues related to water damage, which can be extremely costly. For example, a frozen pipe that was burst can cost thousands of dollars in water damage in just a few short seconds. In cases that involve sentimental items or rare memorabilia, the damage is often priceless. In addition to water damage, the growth of mold and mildew is another common issue when it comes to water proofing basements and keeping moisture out of a home. Mold and mildew are highly dangerous forms of fungus that can cause irreparable damage in terms of structural damage and health concerns.
Inhaling mold and mildew in large quantities or over a long period of time can cause respiratory illness, infection, and can exacerbate allergies and asthma. Mold and mildew can also eat away at a structure over time, as well as ruining it’s overall aesthetic. And because it thrives so easily in warm and moist environments, mold and mildew can spread like wildfire throughout the nooks and crannies of a home before it’s able to be identified and addressed. Mold and mildew growth is just out of many reasons why water proofing basements is so important.
Basement waterproofing is not a do it yourself kind of project, though homeowners can save plenty of money performing simple repairs around on the house on their own. Working with a professional, license contractor experienced in water proofing basements is the best way to find a water proofing solution that’s best for your home and needs. Water proofing basements isn’t a one size fits all kind of home service. There are a variety of different solutions for water proofing basements, with some working better than others depending on the kind of structure.
For example, epoxy injections are great solutions for water proofing basements with leaking concrete walls, but only if the cracks in those walls are no bigger than the width of a standard credit card. It’s not meant for larger leaks and cracks, and attempting to use in this way could have some pretty disappointing results. However one of the reasons epoxy is so commonly used and misused is due to its affordable cost, which can be as low as $500 and even less, closer to $300.
