Your home’s basement is a unique space that serves as more than just a storage space for boxes and holiday decorations. It is a part of your home’s foundation, and it ensures that your structure is secure and stable. This means that even when you’re not actively making use of it, your basement must be adequately maintained, as a poorly maintained basement could lead to cracks in the foundation, and this will ultimately let in water and cause serious damage to the building’s structure.
One of the often overlooked but highly effective maintenance efforts you can make for your basement is water proofing. Keep reading to see why water proofing your basement is important.
Flood prevention
Your basement is essentially the lowest level of your building, and some of them extend below ground level, making them susceptible to the serious threat that is flash floods. While most flash floods tend to occur when there are rapid snow melts or heavy downpour of rain, they can still occur during dry weather, so staying in an area with little rain doesn’t mean your basement won’t need to be water proofed. Basement waterproofing eliminates and redirects water away from your building’s foundation, so you won’t have to deal with flooding and any of the damages that come with it.
Your foundation is protected from damage
As the years go by, soil moisture and water pressure from the ground can begin to enter and damage your basement foundation. These damages often manifest as cracks in the walls indicating that moisture has gotten through. Water proofing your basement is a small investment compared to the thousands you will have to spend on carrying out repairs to these foundation damages. Reach out to professionals in your area for quotes. A simple search for damp specialist London will provide a good range of reputable firms.
Prevention of mold and mildew problems
Having a damp basement environment is a health hazard waiting to happen. Regardless of what you use your basement for, small leaks from either rain or snow can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can spread and cause a variety of health problems. Basement waterproofing significantly reduces the chances of mold and mildew growing in your basement.
Prevention of pest problems
Another issue that could arise from having a damp basement is pests. Basements are already a common target for pests because of the fact that the space is tucked away. Without waterproofing, the coolness that results from water seeping in may attract dangerous pests like rats and reptiles. Basement waterproofing ensures that you do not have to deal with pets living in your basement.
Increase in property value
A waterproofed basement is something that might impress home inspectors and potential buyers, which means added value to your property. Water proofed basements are deemed easier to refurbish or finish, which means that paying to get your basement water proofed is a worthy investment.
Conclusion:
Waterproofing your basement is a way for you to effortlessly prolong the life of your building’s foundation and ultimately protect the entire structure. It also protects your property from flooding damage, mold, and pest while adding to its value.
