Do you see areas of moisture or smell mysterious odours wafting through the basement? If so, moisture might enter your home, leading to water damage, mould growth, and structural issues. Fortunately, there are some preventive basement waterproofing measures you can take to ensure these problems do not escalate into significant issues. You can make waterproofing your basement a manageable project by following several tips to ensure that you protect your home from water in the future. These basic tips will help you design a non-moist house.
Regularly Inspect Your Basement
Regular inspections are the first and foremost step to protect a moisture-free environment in your basement. At least every few months, you or individuals from basement waterproofing companies should walk through your basement to check for signs of moisture. Check common symptoms like wet spots on a wall or the floor, peeling paint, rust on metal fixtures, and mildew marks. A musty smell could also mean moisture is accumulating. In particular, any areas where the roof has an abnormality or deviation, such as a corner or around pipes, is where water can seep through. While moisture may just be a small inconvenience initially, it can lead to significant water damage if not addressed promptly. By catching leaks or dampness early, you can prevent larger and more expensive repairs and keep your basement dry and safe for many years.
Clean Out Gutters And Downspouts
Well-maintained gutters handle rain and snowmelt, routing water into downspouts to carry it safely away from your basement. Clogged gutters allow water to overflow, causing the foundation to be filled with excess moisture. This pooled water eventually slips into your basement, leading to moisture problems and potential damage. Avoid clogs by cleaning your gutters at least twice annually, especially during fall and spring. Your downspouts should also stretch 6 to 10 feet from the home, far enough to prevent water from puddling around your foundation. If your downspouts are too short, call in basement waterproofing contractors who add extensions to prevent water from pooling around the foundation. Simple gutter tips are effective for basement water problems.
Proper Landscaping
This is a crucial basement waterproofing tip most required for homeowners with landscaping in residential. If the ground around your home is pitched toward the foundation, rainwater will flow there on its own, which means it could find a way into your basement. To avoid this, ensure the ground around your house inclines away from the foundation. This incline helps send water away from your home, preventing the danger of pooling near the foundation. You can even grade your land if the flow is an issue. Planting large trees near your foundation should be avoided, as their roots can cause cracks in the walls of a weakened base, allowing water to seep through. Proper landscaping helps reduce moisture problems.
Use a Dehumidifier
Water leaks are not even necessarily obvious in basements, with moisture occurring by condensation, especially if the climate is humid. Setting up a dehumidifier in your basement is simple and can help lower indoor humidities. When humidity surpasses 50%, it can provide all the requirements from mould and mildew growth, which will cause bad smells and health problems in your house. A dehumidifier can help sustain this ideal moisture level, preventing condensation from gathering on walls and floors. Even dehumidifiers include humidity sensors to nest in, which will adjust accordingly so the room is at the best moisture levels.
Keep an Eye on Plumbing Leaks
Leaking pipes and appliances are among the easiest ways for moisture to seep into your basement. A slow drip from pipes, water heaters, or washing machines can build up over time and cause lots of moisture that could damage the floors, walls, and insulation. Check all plumbing fixtures in the basement for leaks, either damp areas around the pipes or rust and discoloration. Having basement waterproofing companies address a small leak in the pipe while still able to do so, or else it will be on its way to becoming immediately unfixable.
Add A Vapor Barrier
No matter how perfect you think your basement walls are, moisture comes from the ground and can get its way in. One of the most effective ways to prevent this is by sealing your walls and floors. Vapour barriers are thick plastic sheets that prevent water vapour from passing through the foundation walls or floors. During construction or home improvement, basement waterproofing contractors will install these barriers. They lower basement humidity levels and prevent moisture from the ground floor. If you have a basement with concrete walls or floors, it is extremely adept at putting in a vapour barrier premise that the moisture from the exterior can be absorbed by the soil around.
Conclusion
Keeping your basement dry is easy. So keep up to date on inspections, maintain your gutters, pay attention to landscaping, run a dehumidifier in humid climates or basements with increasing moisture, check for plumbing leaks often and install vapour barriers where needed. Controlling your moisture will protect your home’s foundation and make for a healthier living space. Executing these simple tasks will help mitigate the risk of a faulty basement that would require basement waterproofing costing an arm and a leg.