Three Major Benefits of Knowing How to Waterproof a Basement

A wet basement is a disgusting space, basically unusable. You can't build rooms down there, because sheetrock and paneling will mildew and rot in the dampness, you wouldn't want to put furniture there, because it wouldn't be long before it felt clammy and smelled awful, and you really can't even store anything there unless you don't care how musty it will get to smelling. Waterproofing a basement is a good idea for a lot of reasons. Learning how to waterproof a basement will not only provide you with lots of extra room for family living, but it will also increase the value of your home, and make the environment in the entire house healthier for all who live there.

A lot of the reason basements are wet is because they are underground, and the problem starts outdoors. Take a look at the foundations all the way around your house. Is the dirt surrounding them lower than the rest of the lawn around it? That can happen over time as the dirt settles, and it's one of the major culprits when it comes to dampness in your basement. With the dirt sloping downward towards your foundation, you are essentially funneling water runoff directly to your house. Banking the soil around the foundation high enough that the water will run away from your home instead will definitely make a world of difference.

Other causes of water in basements aren't quite as easy to fix. Sometimes the water table under a house is too high which can force water up into the basement through cracks and drains. You can alleviate this problem by having a sump pump installed in your basement floor. This is a fairly difficult job, because a hole needs to be cut into your floor so that a pit can be built in. You will also need to have some plumbing connections made in order to pump the water safely away, so this job will probably require professional assistance. However, the expense will be well worth the effort, because it will mean that the usable space as well as the value of your home will increase.

As you probably already know, dampness causes mold and mildew. If your basement has a moisture problem, these nasty substances will take root and start multiplying. They shoot spores into the air of your home which is then circulated into the upstairs rooms as well as the basement. Many people are allergic to mold spores, but even if no one in your family has an allergy, you're still asking for respiratory problems unless you clean up the air in your home by drying out your basement. Knowing how to waterproof a basement is an important skill for any homeowner to have.

You already know the importance of waterproofing. Visit betterwaterproofing.com for more tips on under deck waterproofing and do-it-yourself basement waterproofing and learn how you can do more.