Basement Waterproofing - All You Need To Know!

You may not have already thought about waterproofing your basement. However, it might be a good idea to start thinking about it now. You may not find any problems during the hot summer months, but when the rainy season arrives, you will no doubt start to notice the problems an un-waterproofed basement can bring! What is Basement Waterproofing and Why Should You Do It? Basement Waterproofing is not usually needed in newer homes as they are generally pretty well waterproofed already.

However, older homes, or homes that were built before the year 1970, tend to have a lot more problems due to the fact that construction in the old days was not as good as it is today! However, it is not only the construction that could be at fault. Over the years, a water protection system of a house can break down and become less efficient.

It is only natural that wear and tear happens over the years and that is why older houses are more at risk. This is when you will notice that your basement is quite wet. If you leave that wet problem alone, it will only become worse, so it is always better to get the problem fixed before a major problem arises.

 Why exactly should you fix a wet basement problem? Well, at first the wet problem may just cause a slight odor that you may think is nothing really to worry about and generally it is it not. However, the problem then tends to progress into forming mildew and that quickly damages any furniture or other things that may be in the basement.

A damp environment generally decays rather quickly! Another thing to consider is that asthma sufferers will not be able to go into the affected damp room as it could cause breathing difficulties. Finally, a damp environment attracts pests, so you will not only have an extremely wet, smelly, damaged basement, but you will also have a pretty serious pest problem before long, too!

 So it is always better to waterproof your basement and be sure that you eliminate any problems before they get too bad. The Causes of Wet Basements and What Can Be Done About Them It is only natural for foundations to leak over time, as no foundation stays waterproof forever.

Houses move around over the years and that can cause various cracks and gaps that allow water to come in. Sooner or later, water does tend to find a way indoors and the basement is the first room to feel the effects! So what are the different methods of basement waterproofing? Well the first thing that should be done, is to go around your basement and try to find any gaps or cracks that may be letting water in. If you find any, fill them in with a waterproof compound.

You should be able to find something suitable in your local hardware store. You can also waterproof the walls by using a waterproof mix, again, bought from a hardware store. However, be aware that the waterproof mixture will not work on painted walls, so any paint needs to be removed before the mixture is applied. Overall, it all depends upon how bad the leak actually is and how much pressure it is applying to the wall to determine what protection it needs.

You may need to call a professional to help you if your best efforts do not come to anything. Generally, though, if done early enough, waterproofing your basement should be fairly easy and it is always better to do it every couple of years in order to ensure that you prevent any further problems from occurring. 

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Basement Ideas

Being banished to the basement doesn't always have to be punishment! Nowadays, owners of homes with a basement consider the space to be prime square footage. Everything from hobby rooms, play rooms, media centers, music rooms, poker parlors, exercise areas, office space and of course, it's original purpose, storage space, is finding new life in the space down below." The definition of a basement is an area that is either fully or partially below ground level. This is not to be confused with the crawl space of a house, since another part of the definition is that a person should be able to stand upright in the area.

 The amount of square footage in the basement is generally equivalent to that on the ground floor. In most homes, it's like having another entire level of living space, which can add up to quite a bit! The options for utilizing that amount of space really are limited only by the imagination since the space usually will have electricity and plumbing.

 The basement can be partitioned off into different rooms or it can be one huge open space. If this part of your home is finished" then consider yourself lucky. If not, or if the space is on the remodeling To Do list, there are issues to consider before proceeding with the project. First, it's important to identify trouble" spots such as lowered ceilings, enclosed boiler rooms, and ductwork.

Second, the space must not leak. Uncontrolled moisture will cause a number of dangerous and damaging problems including the growth of mold. Once the identification and remediation of basement problem areas is finished, the next step is determining a layout for the space.

The task can be overwhelming, and a good way to begin is by determining the activities that'll likely take place in the space. Looking at pictures or at what others have done always helps jump-start the imagination. Keep in mind that the basement will have little or no natural light so consider this when planning the layout. Slowly but surely this space will spring to life and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Next time you think it's no big deal, remember that over time, excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to the onset of eye conditions including retina damage and even cataracts. So do your eyes a favor eat your carrots and be sure to carry your sunglasses with you at all times!

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