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Three Things You Should Know About Waterproofing Your Basement

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Realize you need basement repairs? According to Fox Business, you might not want to wait too long. Their recent article says that homeowners should aim to get repairs done and squared away this spring. “With spring rain, you don’t want water in the basement,” Nan Shanahan, owner of Better Homes and Garden Real Estate explains.

“With spring rain, you don’t want water in the basement,” Nan Shanahan, owner of Better Homes and Garden Real Estate explains. “It’s a really great idea to make sure all the gutters are cleaned out and there’s no water penetration problems.” According to  This Old House,  approximately 60% of U.S. homes have wet basements, and another 38% are running the risk of mold as a result. Basement waterproofing is important, but often undervalued.

Are you interested in basement water proofing, or preventing your basement from experiencing future issues with water and mold? Here are three things you should keep in mind.

1. How to Get Rid of Condensation

Do you have condensation that appears on your foundation walls — also known as “sweating”? If this is happening in other spaces as well, such as your crawlspace, it can cause wood rot, attract insects, and weaken plywood. You can prevent this from happening by:

  • Applying a waterproof coating
  • Turning up the heat during colder months
  • Using a dehumidifier
  • Insulating cold-water pipes with foam, in order to keep moist air from getting in contact.

2. Using Interior and Exterior Sealants for Fixing Basement Leaks

Sealants are an important aspect of water proofing a basement. Interior, or indoor, sealants help to prevent cracks and pipes from becoming water entry points. Exterior basement waterproofing systems work to keep water from entering foundation walls.

  • For exterior sealants, it is necessary to excavate from the bottom sides of the basement feet. Drainage areas are added, and walls are then sealed with a membrane.
  • Indoor drainage systems work by draining water from the sides and underside of the foundation, pumping it away from the home with a sump pump.

3. Repairing Foundation Cracks

If you notice cracks in your basement concrete, there are several possible explanations for why this is happening. Since concrete is composed of gravel, water, sand and cement, the curing process tends to cause concrete to shrink slightly as the water evaporates. Small cracks, according to This Old House , “don’t threaten the structural integrity of the house, but they do create an entry point for groundwater, insects and radon gas.” Larger cracks or bulging walls, on the other hand, can indicate a structural problem that requires an expert to evaluate.

Masonry patching products can be used for repairing a cracked foundation. For long lasting crack avoidance, an epoxy sealer is ideal.

WRITTEN BY

Austin Werner

Austin Werner is the Owner of The Real Seal LLC, a basement waterproofing and foundation repair company. Austin believes that having a highly trained and happy team is the key to success. This is reflected through hundreds of 5 star customer reviews his company has received online.

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