Your basement area is more than just a place to store the odds and ends you want to keep out of sight. It’s also the foundational structure of your entire home. This simple fact alone is enough to justify waterproofing basement areas, but there are more ways that this small precaution could protect your home.
Prevent Flooding
Flash floods pose a serious threat to basement areas that extend below ground level, which is pretty much all of them. In fact, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) estimates that floods cause $3 billion in damages claims every year, making them the number one most destructive natural disaster in America. Basement waterproofing will help protect your home from water damage that could ruin any valuables you store there, no matter the weather.
Prevent Mold and Mildew
Even without flooding, basement water leaks from simple rain or snow could cause a moisture buildup in your home. That could lead to dangerous mold and mildew growths, which can cause health problems ranging from coughing and skin irritation to aggravating allergies and asthma.
Prevent Cracks in Foundation
When moisture gets trapped in the small porous surfaces of a basement foundation, it can expand and contract as temperatures rise and fall, leading to cracks that could be hazardous to the overall structural integrity of your house itself. Fixing leaks in basement walls and waterproofing basement spaces will minimize the risk of costly foundation repairs.
Reduce Energy Costs
A warm and wet basement will drive up the humidity of your home during the summer months, making it more expensive to cool. Alternatively, cracks in your foundation might be letting in cold winter air despite your efforts to keep the house warm. Waterproofing will better insulate your entire home and make your heating and cooling more efficient year-round.
Increase Value
A waterproofed basement automatically adds property value to your home, making it easier to finish or refurbish if you so choose. Plus, it also adds protection and security in all of the ways mentioned above. The return on investment practically pays for itself.
Interested in waterproofing your basement to better your Chicago home? Contact us at the Real Seal to learn more about how to protect and enhance your basement today.
