Basement Waterproofing Options

The maintenance of your basement is too often a debated and heated topic among homeowners, as continuous maintenance and potential ongoing repairs can be quite costly. Basement waterproofing is a process that is not considered to be a requirement, but can be quite beneficial to homeowners. Basement waterproofing options vary from homeowner to homeowner, and contractor to contractor, but generally they can save you a lot of time, energy and money in basement repairs.

Protect Your Investment

Whether you plan on remaining in your home for a lifetime or putting your home on the market for resale, waterproofing your basement is a useful and valuable tool for protecting the overall value of your home. In fact, properly waterproofing your basement can increase the value of your home while adding valuable living and storage space.

If water begins to seep into your basement, it can result in expensive repairs, and damage the resale value of your home-- thus diminishing the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

Fight Mold

In order for mold to form, it requires a steady, strong source of moisture and temperature to grow and thrive. Waterproofing your basement will not completely protect, or eliminate the risk of mold and mildew, since the pipes in you basement can still drip or leak and result in mold. When the drips or leaks are found and repaired quickly, you’re greatly reducing the risk of mold and mildew. 

Basement waterproofing will not only protect your basement and valuables against property damage, but will protect the overall health of you and your family. Research has shown that mold spores can intensify the affects of asthma and other respiratory problems, if inhaled. Mold spores can also cause severe topical allergic reactions in some adults and children.

A Scam?

Some waterproofing contractors perform a "damproofing" process on the foundation or basement walls by spraying a black, tar-like liquid substance on the outside. Although damproofing is performed, it is not an appropriate or adequate waterproofing method, leaving your basement vulnerable and at risk to outside water sources. 

Damproofing meets the minimum requirements with some building codes, but by referring to dampoofing as waterproofing allows some to charge a higher price for less quality and cheaper work. Damproofing is usually performed by using a wet asphalt solution, but proper basement waterproofing combines a liquid rubber that is intended to lock water out of the concrete basement walls and floor, more effectively and efficiently with the help of installing insulation panels. Basement waterproofing is most effective when performed on the interior using a water drainage system, dehumidifier, combined with repairing leaks and holes and utilizing waterproof materials.

When Should I Waterproof?

Some homeowners have their basement waterproofed following the completed construction of their home, but there are some homeowners that decide to wait to waterproof their basement for one reason or another; whether it be cost, time or money. It is best to waterproof your basement as soon as the construction of your new home is completed. The longer you decide to wait to have your basement waterproofed, the higher the risk of having water seeping into the walls and floors of your basement, resulting in damage.

Solution:

The best and most effective way to protect your home from moisture is to contact a basement waterproofing expert. A basement waterproofing expert will examine your basement and recommend the best and most cost efficient way to solve the problem. 

For more information, contact the experts at Basement Systems of New York. They are the most trusted basement contractors in Poughkeepsie, NY.