Basement waterproofing has become a standard for all houses these days. Practically every homeowner understands the importance of keeping their home free from flooding and leaking. Naturally, people that own homes don't want to have water damage problems. And not builders ensure that proper waterproofing methods are followed.
The situation is such that bacteria, mildew and mold thrive exactly in this sort of environment. What is mold? It's a naturally occurring fungus. In most cases it doesn't cause any problems, but when it starts spreading throughout a house it can cause health issues including chronic respiratory ailments.
Generally a test for mold will reveal the extentof the problem, but frequently it's easy to see. And it's not just mold that you have to worry about. Any cracks in the basement, that let water through, can also be a path for termites and rodents to enter your building. Those pesky pests can create a great deal of damage to your home.
?In addition to the health hazard that this may pose, it can also result in a large depreciation in property value. That's how come it's smart to make sure your basement is waterproofed properly. It surely makes the basement living room a nicer place and costs less than removing mold.
After the fact, it's too late. Once mold enters your home, you need to get it out. Whatever gets contaminated needs to be replaced. It's even worse if you are a landlord who has to contend with disrupting tenants and scheduling the work.
Should you wish to undertake the process yourself there are some things you can do yourself. Naturally this depends on the skill level of each individual. There are two relatively simple things you can check first, to help reduce water from gathering around your foundation. This doesn't require much skill, just some manual labor on your part.
First you should check that the ground is sloping away from the side of your house. Over the years the earth has a tendency to sink down towards the house, which is not good. You want any runoff to go away from house, not towards it. If you have this situation then add some more soil, though gravel is better, to change the direction and amount of slope.
Another item to check for is the downspouts from the eaves troughs. They need to be far enough away from the side of the house, about six feet, to ensure that water doesn't flow into the basement. When rainwater exits the downspout, it should get absorb into the ground far enough away that it won't rest against the foundation. You can use a regular solid extension or the spring type that roll out once it starts to rain. These are very convenient and take little space.
It's a much better idea to tackle the job of waterproofing your basement now, before the problems start. Waterproofing your basement doesn't have to break the bank. Companies exist that do a good job at a reasonable price.So take the time now to ensure that your basement is dry and free from any structural problems. It's easier when you deal with these issues proactively than trying to fix them as they happen.
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