When to do Basement Waterproofing: How to Be Proactive

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basement waterproofing

Being proactive with your basement waterproofing is one of the smartest moves you can make as a homeowner. You don’t have to wait until your basement floods or you have water damage to call basement repair companies.

If you’re looking to avoid emergency home repair, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over everything you need about basement drainage and preventing expensive water damage. This is your go-to guide to preventative basement waterproofing.

Find the Water Source

If you see water in your basement, the first thing you’ll want to do is find the water source. You can call your basement professional to find where the water is coming from. They’ll be able to tell if the water is coming in from a window, the foundation, or the plumbing, for example.

Take a look around the water source to see if you can tell where it’s leaking. You and your basement pro will need to know where the water is coming from in order to fix it.

If you have exposed concrete, you can often see water dripping from certain areas. If your wall is completely wet, the cracks will be harder to find. Sometimes, the leak occurs from pipes or near a water-supply line. 

It is best to leave the investigation to the professionals. While it may look like a crack is an obvious source of water leakage, there could be more. In a basement with drywall, this can be especially tricky.

Check Windows and Window Wells

Your window well is often a place where water will come in. If the right drainage system wasn’t installed, water will pool at the bottom of the window well. From there, water will creep in from your window.

A window well drain system can also be installed after your window is in place if needed. This will help water from pooling at the bottom of your window well or getting in through the windows.

The best thing to do is to call your Armored Basement representative when your home is being built so that these can be done right away. This is a great way to prevent water from getting in before you finish construction on your home. 

Compared to water damage, the cost of a drain is far less expensive. These can also add value to your home. Potential buyers will know your home is well-protected against water damage and flooding.

Don’t Apply Sealers Yourself

While it might be tempting to caulk or seal your windows or walls, yourself, it isn’t advisable. You could just end up wasting a lot of time and money and still have leaks.

Instead of applying sealers or expensive products yourself, call your basement professional to see what they recommend. These products do more harm than good if you aren’t sure how to use them.

You could also spend a lot of wasted money applying something to have a water leak again. Even worse is that you’ve left standing water or moisture for even longer thinking it was fixed.

Adjust Your Landscaping

Sometimes, a leak in your basement could be coming from an unlikely source. If you have roots or shrubs touching your concrete line or foundation, the excess water could be to blame for your basement problems.

Watering your plants and using irrigation and sprinkler systems could be adding excess water to your foundation. Consider moving your landscaping further away from your foundation. Move your irrigation system if needed as well.

If your sprinkler is pouring water into a window well, this is an easy fix. Consider adding hardscaping to the front of your home as well to minimize water. Rocks, mulch, and gravel will also help disperse water away from your home.

Mulch and rocks can also help keep moisture in your plant beds to reduce their water intake. Watch that whatever you have planted isn’t keeping too much moisture near wood or porous surfaces near your basement. Wood window frames can rot after prolonged exposure to excess water, for example.

Check Your Downspouts and Gutters

If you suspect water is coming from drains, downspouts, or gutters, have your basement professional take a look. They can recommend new drain routes and ways to move downspouts away from your foundation. You always want to move the rainwater away from flowing onto your foundation.

Have your gutters and roof cleaned and inspected regularly. Keeping up with the maintenance will help make sure everything is flowing properly. If your gutters are full or your downspouts are broken, you can cause unnecessary and expensive water damage to your home.

Flooding can happen when you least expect it. If your gutters or basement can’t handle it, even the smallest amount of water damage is costly. 

Call in Waterproofing Professionals

When in doubt, call your waterproofing professional before attempting any do-it-yourself project. While there are things you can do to prevent water from getting into your home, once it’s there it’s almost impossible to remedy without professional help.

One of the best ways to keep your basement dry is to call in a pro to help protect your home. You’ll have a full inspection and your waterproofing expert will make recommendations and an action plan for your unique home.

Basement Waterproofing 101

Basement waterproofing is an important part of home maintenance and protection. Water damage is expensive. Any investment you make into keeping your basement dry will save you thousands in the long run.

To get your basement professionally inspected, fill out the contact form here. You’ll be one step closer to a dry basement and peace of mind.

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