Scared to go into your basement? Afraid you will find a wet basement, damp musty odors or worse, a flooded basement?
You’re not alone!
Many homeowners with a wet basement, especially with older homes have this same concern. Finding these problems is not only annoying and inconvenient, but foundation waterproofing can be expensive, and if you don’t fix it, you could wind up with serious structural and health concerns.
Damp and wet basements raise doubts about the structural soundness of a home which significantly reduces your property value. Proper homeowner inspection, followed by maintenance can prevent this from happening.
Here are 6 easy ways to deal with a wet basement:
- Start in the basement. Inspect the perimeter to see where water is getting in. If you can’t identify the source, you are probably dealing with a minor problem.
- Walk the perimeter exterior. Make sure that the ground slopes away from the home’s foundation at least 10 feet from the base of the foundation. This will keep water from rain or melting snow from draining down against basement walls.
- Ensure that your gutters and downspouts are in good condition and are directing water away from the foundation. Keep gutters clean and the downspouts extended at least ten feet away from the foundation.
- In addition, make sure flower beds are sloped so they drain away from the foundation. Make sure any flower bed borders allow water to drain out. Trim plants and trees because heavy vegetation can result in more significant water accumulation.
- Install an air quality system to properly ventilate your basement. Make sure and drain-off hose is properly installed make sure any system you purchase has a high efficiency rating to save on energy cost.
- Check basement walls and seal any cracks to prevent the flow of water into your basement through the walls. Waterproof paint purchased at your local hardware store can be applied after the cracks are sealed. Waterproof paint cannot keep water out, but it can help prevent other problems that result from a damp basement.
When maintenance does not resolve the problem basement waterproofing may be necessary. A professional interior or exterior basement waterproofing service should address the various ways water can enter your basement and a waterproofing professional can help ensure that your basement stays dry so you and your family can enjoy it for years to come.
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Since 1933, Olshan Foundation Solutions and Home Services has been committed to providing superior basement waterproofing services for our customers, along with excellence in customer service. In addition to basement waterproofing services, Olshan Foundation Solutions also offers exceptional foundation repair services, plumbing services, basement wall repairs and crawl space repair and encapsulation. Contact Olshan at 1.877.465.7426 for a free estimate, or visit us online at https://www.olshanfoundation.com.