5 Ways to Keep Your Basement Waterproof: Expert Tips
If you’re like most people, you don’t give much thought to your basement until there’s a problem. And by then, it might be too late!
Basements are often the most neglected part of a house when it comes to waterproofing. But with a few simple steps, you can keep your basement dry and protect your home from water damage. In this post, we will discuss five ways to keep your basement dry. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your home is protected from the elements!
Why Should You Care?
Simply put, basements are the most common place for water damage in a home! They’re also the one place most of us are least likely to spend our time, so it’s easy to forget it’s there. But it’s literally the foundation of your home, so giving it some attention now and again can literally save your house from falling in on itself over time.
Step One: See if you need a sump pump.
One of the best ways to keep your basement dry is by installing a sump pump. A sump pump is a device that pumps water out of your basement and away from your house. If you don’t have a sump pump already, you may want to reach out to a building inspector to see if they think it’s a good fit for your property.
If they do think it’s a good idea, then you should probably install one as soon as possible.
Step Two: Check your grading.
Your property’s grading is another important factor to consider when it comes to waterproofing your basement. The grade should slope away from your house so that any water flows downhill and away from your foundation.
If you find that the grading on your property isn’t quite right, you may want to hire a professional landscaper to fix it for you.
Step Three: Check your gutters and downspouts.
Gutters and downspouts are an essential part of keeping water away from your home. Gutters help direct rainwater runoff away from the foundation, while downspouts help funnel that water even further away from the house.
If you don’t have gutters or downspouts installed already, now is the time to do it. And be sure to check them regularly to make sure they’re still in good condition and doing their job properly.
Step Four: Seal your basement walls and floors.
This step applies to all of us. One of the most common ways for water to enter a basement is through cracks and seams in the foundation wall or floor. That’s why it’s important to seal these areas up as best you can.
There are a number of products on the market that can help you do this, so talk to your local hardware store about what’s available. Or, if you want someone else to take care of it for you, there are plenty of companies that offer Basement Waterproofing services.
Step Five: Install a drainage system.
A drainage system is a great way to keep water away from your home. It’s basically just a series of pipes that collect excess rainwater and divert it out into the street, where it can be collected by municipal drainage systems or even used for irrigation purposes.
There are several different types of drainage systems available on the market today, so do some research and see which one might work best for you before making any decisions about installation costs or other considerations.
Humidity control also plays an important role in the growth and development of mold. Try to keep interiors below 40% humidity as this can prevent most growth from forming.
We're Here to help!
Basements can often be overlooked when it comes to keeping them dry, but if you follow these tips then they won’t have to worry about leaks anymore! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us at (574) 584-3640. Yoder Home Services is located in Goshen, Indiana and mainly services Elkhart County and the surrounding areas. We offer several different home repair services, such as waterproofing, foundation repair, and mold damage remediation. You can also schedule an appointment where we’d be happy to answer any and all questions.
