The fall rains are about to hit the GTA. And in case you have not already, then it is high time that you get serious in thinking about the status of your basement. You should know that all basements are prone to flooding during the rainy season. Because basements are underground, either entirely or partially, the groundwater level is frequently higher than the basement floor. And if the foundation is not properly waterproofed, then you might find unwelcome water in your home at some point.
If you are not that confident with current waterproofing mechanisms placed in your basement, then now is the time to act on them and save yourself from a huge headache. In case this is your first rodeo with waterproofing a basement, then allow me to provide you with some tips and cost-saving advice that you should keep in mind for your waterproofing project.
Skip The Quick Fixes
There are various jobs inside the house, which are ideal for the do it yourself, individuals. However, let me tell you that basement waterproofing is not one of them.
Most homeowners are tempted to try easy and cheap DIY kits for quick basement waterproofing.
The bad news is, these products only act as “band-aid” solutions, which inevitably lead to a higher expense and long-term pain in the neck.
To cut the story short, I would suggest that you hire a professional and leave it to their hands because a thorough and proper waterproofing jib requires a lot of work that calls a great deal of technical expertise to carry out properly.
Manage Exterior Water
Start with the roof then work down. Most homeowners do not realize that rain spouts and gutters can be the most significant cause of leakage. When the drain gets clogged, water can soak through the material and travel down your home and pool around your foundation and into the basement perimeter. Downspouts that do not direct water far away from your home’s structure can cause the very same issues.
Therefore you should keep your gutter clear and clean all year round.
Also, you might want to make sure that the gutter installed in your roof with downspouts, which lead water at least 2 to 3 meters away from the foundation of your house. It is a recommendation that you add extensions if needed.
This should help ensure that water does not accumulate near the foundation of your house and potentially penetrate your basement.
Check The Land Grading
Look for and inspect the soil around your house. You will need the soil or land outside of your house to be sloping away from the foundation of your home.
Also, landscaping and plants should be ideally at least a foot away from the foundation of your house. Consider moving overgrown trees and shrubs, which might be overcrowding structures and restricting water absorption or flow.
In particular, tree roots can cause basement water issues when they start to penetrate the foundation of your house, causing pipe obstruction and cracks.
Regardless of the waterproofing actions inside, if such an issue is not addressed. Then you are more likely to face a recurrence shortly.
Consider Buying A Dehumidifier
Even if you have a sound waterproofing mechanism in your basement, some condensation might persist. And this will more likely occur if waterproofing your basement has not been your concern.
In both cases, getting a dehumidifier can provide an excellent solution that will remove moisture from the air as well as prevent mold growth.
Seal Small Cracks In Your Home’s Foundation Immediately
Never ignore the telltale signs of cracks in your foundation, no matter how small, since they can still contribute to water entry, thus needs sealing. You won’t need to hire a professional with small cracks since these cracks can effectively be resolved with DIY concrete sealing products. Larger cracks, however, will need professional expertise.
Conclusion
Following these tips should point you in the right direction and can help you save future costs when it comes to waterproofing your home. Following the advice that is listed here should pay dividends in both the long and short-term cost of waterproofing in South Africa.
Thanks for pointing out that landscaping and plants should be at least a foot away from the foundation of the house, because they can be a recurrent issue even if there is waterproofing in your home. With that in mind, I will make sure that the tree near the house is moved or removed for our safety, since it is too close to the front area. We would need that addressed first before we hire a residential exterior waterproofing contractor to work on our property to avoid delays. https://ntlcontracting.com/basement-waterproofing/