House and Garden

If you didn’t k now much about basement waterproofing, this article will be able to give you a quick summary on why basement flooding might occur and what sort of measures you can take to prevent basement flooding. It will also briefly discuss the potential problems posed by basement flooding.What causes basement flooding?Basement flooding is usually caused by leaks through the walls or leaks through the floor. The leaks through the floors are caused by what is called as hydrostatic pressure where an increase in ground water levels will result in leaks through the basement floors. The second type of flooding is caused by lateral pressure where rain water or water from melting snow will penetrate the walls of your basement to result in flooding. This is why a good basement waterproofing contractor will work on both your basement walls and floors when they carry out their basement waterproofing work.

Problems posed by basement floodingMany homeowners wrongly skip on basement waterproofing because they think it is an unnecessary expense. However, basement flooding can result in quite a lot of quick damage when it happens. It can damage the structure of the property; pose health problems such as infections from mold and bacteria and also potentially damage electricity lines and natural gas lines that are routed through the basement. Basement waterproofing is a very small expense when you consider the amount of money it can save you in the long run. It can also help increase the value of your home as a lot of buyers these days are interested to know if the basement is properly waterproofed.

Hiring a contractor to carry out your basement waterproofingHiring a contractor to waterproof your basement is the best way to go about protecting your basement against potential flooding. The contractor will first fix any gaps or leaks in your basement walls or floors by using various mortar mixes. It is very important that all the gaps are covered as even one open gap will render the waterproofing job useless. Once the gaps and cracks are covered, the contractor will then actually use a waterproofing epoxy compound on both the floors and walls. He will also carry out the necessary prep work on the walls and floors before applying the waterproofing compound. The contractor will also install water proof window frames and door frames on your basement in addition to tending to the walls and floors.

Additionally, a contractor will also carry out some work on the outside of your basement if necessary. He might install a weep pipe outside your basement that will help direct water away from the basement. This extra precaution will prolong the life of your basement waterproofing.