Water from the spring melt or rainstorms can sometimes make its way into your home. If you have ever had the misfortune of your basement flooding you will know the damage and stress that it can cause. Not to mention the risk of mold developing in your home, basement flooding can really leave you in a mess.
If you are dealing with water issues in your basement you need to figure out where the water is coming from and how it is getting in. Do you have a problem with your pipes? Is it only leaking when there are heavy rains? Or is moisture dripping in at your basement windows?
These are the kinds of things to consider before you start to think about your repairs. You may be able to take action like regrading your landscaping or repairing small foundation cracks before you end up having to call a restoration company like asaprestoration.net to help you clean up a flood.
By taking care of the cause and the path of the water you can eliminate a lot of the problem. But if you want to be sure that no moisture is seeping into your basement, you can take steps on your own to waterproof your home.
Keep Water Away
The most common source of water getting into homes is from leaking into the foundation. Even if you don’t have any obvious cracks, if your grading and eaves systems are not workingproperly you could end up with water in your basement.
Do a full inspection of your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are cleaned out and clog-free. It’s important that your downspouts are properly positioned to divert water at least three feet away from your home’s foundation.
If you are getting regular water showing up in your basement every time it rains it may be due to your landscaping being improperly graded. Your home should sit on the highest point of your property to be able to take advantage of the gravitational pull that will divert water away. If your landscaping is too flat or is slanting towards your home you may have to call a contractor to have it regraded.
Fix Leaks
If there are any obvious cracks or holes in your foundation, it’s a good bet that it may be the source of your leak. Doing a full inspection of the exterior and interior walls and floors of your foundation to find any cracks is the place to start.
Any areas that need repair should be immediately addressed and patched with hydraulic cement. This kind of durable patch will expand as it dries and ensures that your foundation is secure.
Waterproofing
If you have an older home you may want to go so far as to waterproof your basement walls themselves. Instead of trying to patch each small crack or fissure, you can take care of the problem on a larger scale.
Liquid waterproofing can be rolled on just like a coat of paint and is easy to use and apply. Brush the waterproofing onto the surface using broad strokes in every direction for the best coverage. Two coats are recommended for the best protection.
Conclusion
Your home is your castle and protecting it should always be a priority. When flooding happens, you risk not only damage to your property — there is also a risk to your health and safety if mold is allowed to develop. Take preventative action by adding a waterproof barrier that will keep your home dry and safe.