Did you know that only 15 percent of Americans have flood insurance? While you might have home insurance, floods can have a drastic impact on your basement.
Basement waterproofing is one of the best ways to mitigate lasting damage from floods and other water-related issues. Waterproofing your basement is an important structural aspect of your home. Keep reading to find out more.
Why Get Basement Waterproofing?
Basement waterproofing benefits come in their multitudes. There is no wrong time to get started on waterproofing your basement. Many people wait until they notice water stains or unwanted smells.
Oftentimes, this means there is already unwanted moisture in your basement. Sometimes the presence of moisture leads to sicknesses, such as prolonged flu, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and others.
Leading scientific outlets have long noted the importance of waterproofing your basement. The mold that builds from a damp basement has been linked to cytotoxic, neurotoxic, and immunotoxic issues.
This means that mold can cause cell damage and even impact your nervous and immune systems. Water damage can lead to the growth of dangerous mold in less than 24 hours.
If your home experiences water damage, there are a few tips to follow immediately. However, limiting the risk of water damage is always the best practice. A waterproof basement is always better than a damp basement!
Side note: did you know that waterproofing your basement is also a form of pest control? Reducing the moisture in your basement helps keep bugs and rodents away.
How Long Does Basement Waterproofing Last?
A few factors determine the average length of waterproofing success. Depending on your climate, existing damage, and previously applied materials, your waterproofing should last at least a decade.
Groundwater is present no matter the age or the type of construction your home is. Most homes sit atop a concrete foundation. Water levels will rise and fall throughout the seasons.
Therefore, it’s essential to use a waterproofing system that directs the removal of water, rather than trying to block entry.
Is your basement exposed to the elements through windows? Many homeowners are converting their basements into additional living space.
While these conversions can significantly increase the value of your home, they can also add waterproofing risks that any expert contractor should be able to help address.
Basement waterproofing lifespan should be no less than 10 years. A reliable company should offer at least a decade-long warranty for all waterproofing services. The best will offer a warranty that lasts 100 percent life of the structure.
How to Waterproof a Basement
Waterproofing a structure with a sub-floor pressure relief system is a step-by-step process. The first thing your waterproofing service will do is inspect the area. Depending on your home’s needs, a full plan will be crafted before any work starts.
Once the plan is approved, we’ll clear the area. The last thing you want is for any of your belongings to be damaged in the waterproofing process.
After this, a team like ours will bring in the equipment and materials we need to ensure we complete the job thoroughly. From here, we’ll complete any demolition required.
The fourth step is to drill weep holes in each core and install our superior system. The final step is installing a wall liner and we’ll always clean the area for you to start using right away!
Inserting Drain Tiles and Wall-Cove Plates
Our process includes inserting a drain tile underneath the basement floor. The rile should extend the length of the entire floor area and will direct water to either one or multiple sump pumps.
The wall-cove plate creates a separation between your foundation, the floor, and the wall. The material used in this part of this process is vinyl. This ensures the water is efficiently channeled.
Sump Pump
Every basement waterproofing project should use a sump pump. A sump pump is designed to pump groundwater out of the foundation when levels grow too high.
The pump sits in a literal hole and reduces the amount of water able to collect around the outside of your home’s foundations. Sump pumps essentially reduce hydrostatic pressure.
Not all contractors offer sump pumps as a solution to waterproof basement flooring. Knowing how to waterproof a basement is a specialized skill. Most companies only offer a 10-year warranty because they’ll want your business in a decade as cracks start to appear.
We’re dedicated to our craft and want to fix your basement once. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty. With over 20 years in the business of basement waterproofing, our veteran-owned business is proud of the clients we’ve serviced.
Can You DIY Your Basement Waterproofing?
The short and honest answer to this question is no. The chances of a non-professional contractor being able to do-it-yourself a basement waterproofing project are fairly slim.
The cost of tools required to accurately and safely waterproof a basement often far exceeds the cost of hiring a contractor. An example we like to use is the fact that even just the sealer required for a waterproofing job can equate to $3 per square foot.
If your basement is the average 10 by 10 with a height of 6 feet, you’ll spend about $1,000 on this one element. Using a contractor, the average homeowner will spend about $3,500 to seal a basement, according to our calculations.
Get in Touch to Find Out More
If you’re unsure of what type of basement waterproofing you need, there is never a better time to have your home evaluated. The last thing you want is to fix a big problem when you can mitigate it altogether.
Do you have a leak? Have you noticed dark spots? Is there a weird smell in your basement? All of these are signs of something wrong.
We provide free inspections of all homes. We also won’t give you a proposal for work without first identifying the source of your water problem, should you have one. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you and your home!
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