When considering protecting your home from the elements, it’s natural to focus on the roof first. After all, rain and snow can damage your siding, windows, and even the insulation in your attic. However, as important as your roof is to keep moisture out of your house, you also need to think about waterproofing your basement. Unfortunately, basements are some of the easiest places for water to infiltrate a home. Left unprotected and unventilated, these spaces can easily become humid storage chambers packed with mold spores and unhealthy air. This article will explain why waterproofing your basement is so important and why now might be the perfect time for you to get around to doing it finally.
Why Is Waterproofing Your Basement Important?
Keeping your basement dry and watertight will also keep the rest of your house dry. It’s a simple concept, but it’s often overlooked by homeowners who might not understand the risks of an un-waterproofed basement. If your basement isn’t properly waterproof, water will likely seep through the walls and flooring, causing damage to your home in other places. This is especially problematic if you have a crawl space under your house. The soil under your crawl space is likely to be moist at all times, making it easy for water to seep in and cause costly damage to your home. If your basement isn’t waterproof, you could end up with mold and rot in your walls, floor, and ceiling. This damage will have to be fixed, which can be very expensive. To avoid that you should get basement waterproofing in Georgetown before it’s too late.
What Does Waterproofing A Basement Involve?
First and foremost, the best way to waterproof your basement is to install a waterproof membrane under your floor. Several different types of membranes can be used for this purpose. Still, most will follow one of these two approaches: – Hydrostatic pressure membrane: This type of membrane is designed to be placed between the ground and the bottom of your floor joists. This membrane will block any water that finds its way through the soil and into your crawl space. – Sealant membrane: Sealant membranes are placed on top of your subfloor, which makes them a little more challenging to install. However, this type of membrane can also block water from seeping into your crawl space.
Reasons To Waterproof Your Basement Right Now
The time to waterproof your basement is when you notice that it’s already wet. This might seem like a strange concept, but the fact is that if you wait until you have water in your basement, the damage has already been done. This means that the damage is permanent and cannot be undone. If you wait until you notice moisture, you can still stop the water from spreading from the basement and causing damage throughout your entire house. You can also avoid the need to rip up and replace part or all of your flooring if you waterproof your basement before the water gets in. Depending on the type of flooring you have, you may be able to re-install it once the basement is dry again. This could be extremely time-consuming and expensive.
Basement Types And The Importance Of Waterproofing
Different types of basements will require different types of waterproofing. You can probably skip the membrane if you have a concrete or cinder block basement. You will, however, want to be sure that you have the right drainage installed to prevent flooding and standing water. You’ll need to install a membrane if you have a gravel, sand, or sandy gravel basement. Gravel (and sometimes sand) basements are less stable than concrete and cinder block basements, so you’ll also need to install a support system like a steel wire mesh. You must install a complete waterproofing system if you have a dirt basement. This includes a membrane, a support system, and proper drainage. You may also want to install a sump pump and pit to protect your home from flooding.
How to hire the best waterproofing service?
As we’ve just outlined, waterproofing your basement requires a multi-faceted approach. You’ll need to hire a contractor to install a membrane and support system, the drainage system, and a sump pump if you have a dirt basement. But how do you go about hiring the right contractor? Here’s what you need to look for: – Make sure they have all the right certifications. – Make sure they offer a full written warranty and an insurance policy. You need to have some recourse if something goes wrong with the project. – Check their previous work. You can do this online at sites like Google.
Conclusion
Your basement is an integral part of your home and one you’ll want to protect for as long as possible. To do this, you need to regularly inspect it for any signs of moisture and perform regular maintenance and repairs whenever necessary.