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Finished Basement Ideas :: Waterproofing Tips
Waterproofing Tips
If you are a home owner with a basement, you should educate yourself on the
problems that can cause a leaky basement, as well as great tips to prevent
them or take care of these problems satisfactorily. Here are some basic
waterproofing tips for leaky basements.
There are many ways that a basement can become riddled with water damage and
dangerous molds. Water damage occurs in basements by three main ways,
through common flooding, Hydrostatic forces and capillary action. A
hydrostatic force is when the rise and fall of water surrounding the
basement foundation forces itself through concrete. Concrete is porous and
water makes its way through the concrete and up into the basement. Capillary
action is similar, except water travels through veins and crevices of
foundation walls and seams.
A great tip to stop common flooding and reduce hydrostatic forces is to
remove as much water away from your foundation as possible. For instance,
check all your gutters and drainage surrounding your home. You might find
that your drainage system is not acting efficiently. You can easily install
a drainage system surrounding your home that captures excess water and
removes it safely away from the foundation.
If the area surrounding your foundation is sloping downwards, change the
slope to go away from your property. You can do this by adding fill or
stones. Another great tip is to provide ventilation to your basement. Many
times, basements aren't able to breathe and dry out. You might want to open
a window or remove bushes near by that block the windows and prevent fresh,
dry air from entering the basement.
If you are having trouble finding the source of water leaks or seepage,
contact a professional. Water damage will only get worse over time. It is
easier to fix the problem early on instead of waiting until action is
necessary.
Another great tip is to check for basement leaks on a regular basis. Many
basements are finished and finding leaks and cracks can be difficult to say
the least. Although your basement is finished, it does not mean that
foundation damage is not occurring. It is important to check each year for
foundation damage especially by the seams. Seams are where the floor and
walls meet.
If you are looking to avoid lots of headaches that a leaky basement brings,
look at the above waterproofing tips to help reduce the risk of a problem
basement.
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