Important Facts about Wet and Dry Basement
People sometimes tend to disregard their basement. Some people think that it is just another unworthy expense to equip the basement with waterproofing system. Others deem the basement as a mere storage area where things that are seldom used are stored. It is enough for these people that the basement door is locked most of the time. However, what they unwittingly ignore is the fact that an improperly maintained basement would only cause more problems in the long run. Thus improvements such as basement waterproofing are below their list of necessary things to do for the house.
What can you get with a wet basement? If the basement is wet, where water leaks are occurring and build up of water happens every time, many problems would so much face the family. A wet basement produces an ideal setting for termite activities. Hence, these pests would eat away the strength of the house foundation day after day. When the basement is wet, mold and mildews develop excessively. Such moisture-borne organisms could bring illness to the members of the family such as allergies and asthma. Mildew is also known to be toxic. Wet basements also add more humidity inside the house thereby it would cost more to heat the home during winter. More energy will be needed to heat damp air.
However, when the house is equipped with a basement waterproofing system, these problems can be eliminated. Apart from that, the property’s market value will be greatly increased. When the family moves to another place and wants to sell the house, they could sell it without much difficulty. When the basement is waterproofed, it would also add up to the strength of the structure’s foundation.
A proper basement waterproofing will be truly beneficial to the family. A warmer basement can be expected during winter and the house will become more pleasant and comfortable to live on.
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Basement Waterproofing Improves the Building Structure
Basement waterproofing could do more than just prevent water from seeping into the basement of a building or a house. It could certainly increase the structure’s strength and help in prolonging the structure’s lifespan. How could this be possible? Read on to learn more about waterproofing and the effects of water build-up in the basement.
A building, whether it has a basement or built at ground level, needs waterproofing to augment the structure’s overall strength. Waterproofing prevents the build-up of water along the structure’s walls or foundations, especially in the basement where water build-up will most likely appear. Basement waterproofing will ensure that the structure is safe from water leakage that could eventually weaken the foundation and walls and can cause structural damage to the building.
Three methods are used in basement waterproofing. The first method involves the use of interior water sealants. The interior walls and floors in the basement are coated with water-resistant paints. The interior sealants could prevent water from leaking through the walls. This method is only for a short-term basis. However, it may just be enough for the time being while still saving money for a more permanent waterproofing system.
Another method is exterior waterproofing. Through this system, the exterior walls of the basement are coated with polymer-based compounds to prevent water from seeping through the walls, floors and the foundation. This technique is considered as the best system in basement waterproofing. Polymer-based products are known to last throughout the entire life of the structure and cannot be affected by the soil. Thus increasing the structure’s strength and preventing damage caused by water intrusions.
The third method is the installation of drainage sump pumps. This procedure includes the installation of a French drain or PVC pipes that will channel the water away from the basement onto a sump pump that will drain the water out of the basement. Although it is not really waterproofing, the system is generally accepted by building contractors as a good method in preventing water leakage into the basement.
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