Waterproofing Your Basement

Ahhhh . . . . the basement. While it can be a great way to add extra space to your home, it can also be a source of additional problems. Perhaps the most common problem that we see in basements is that of water. Everything from runoff, groundwater and condensation all add up to bad news for basements. Waterproofing your basement is a must do in order to protect against damage and harmful health side effects. Many older homes have basements that tend to be leaky and damp which make it only suitable for use as a storage (although you have to choose what to put in storage safely) area.

Finishing a Basement

When you do decide to make your basement into a more livable space by adding an additional bedroom, game room, family room, bathroom, etc., it’s important to know the proper steps to mitigate water from entering the space down the road. Begin by realizing that waterproofing is almost 100% necessary anytime that a structure is constructed at or below ground level. If ground water is likely to build up in the soil and that water table will rise, then hydrostatic pressure builds against basement walls and underneath basement floors. Moisture related problems are almost always bad. Mold and decay problems are the two most common side effects of moisture in the basement.

Your basement remodeling project needs to have one primary goal in mind . . . keeping water out. Aside from planning, saving and applying for permits, you will need to begin the project by evaluating the perimeter of your home. You want to ensure that the ground that is next to the foundation of the home slopes away from the foundation as opposed to towards it. After a home is constructed, the backfilled dirt will typically settle over time thus allowing for it to settle lower than the surrounding dirt. And, ultimately causing it to slope towards your home instead of away from the home. In order to remedy this problem, you will need to add additional dirt against the foundation to create a minimum drop of 2” per foot that you move away from your home’s foundation.

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, over half of all homes in the United States have a “wet basement” problem. The last thing that you want in a basement is a musty smell. Solutions to the proverbial wet basement problem range from installing a French drain or perimeter drain system to the use of a dehumidifier. You always want to be proactive in your approach in order to mitigate more serious damage to your home. If you notice dampness and a musty odor when you enter your basement, you may be experiencing the first signs and should make it a priority to combat the water before more serious damage occurs to your home.

There are two types of waterproofing: 1) Interior and 2) Exterior.

Interior Waterproofing:

Exterior Waterproofing:

Each home and basement are unique. Therefore, it is best to get a few ideas and bids from licensed professionals. This will give you the range of options available even if you plan to do the waterproofing of the basement yourself. So, here’s to dry and un-smelly basements as they can be a deterrent for buyers.

__________________________________

We Buy Houses, We Buy Old Houses & We Buy Homes - Homes For Sale By Owner - Boston & Eastern Massachusetts. All Ages. All Conditions. Call Us Today!

Affordable Housing Developer, Used Auto Parts, Sell Your House, We Buy Houses, For Sale By Owner, Homes For Sale By Owner, FSBO, Used Car Parts, We Buy Old Houses, We Buy Homes, LIHTC, Flip This House, low income housing tax credits, Asset Management, Real Estate Developer, Boston Real Estate, Real Estate Developer, Discount Auto Parts, Auto Parts, Qualified Allocation Plan,