Basement Waterproofing For Your Home - The Basics

Every home should have their basement waterproofing done before problems start to occur. Here are some essentials that should be considered.

Do Your Basement Waterproofing Before Finishing Your Basement
If you're finishing the rooms down there to make more living space, you've got to take care of your basement waterproofing first. It slows things down and that's a drag, but it's much easier and more effective if you do it beforehand. Before you start your finishing job, check everywhere for leaks and cracks and get them sealed. This includes the walls and flooring. If there's mold already, get it remediated before you start. A perimeter drainage system which consists of pipes that go around the foundation and drain water away from the house is great for finished basements. Also make sure you've got a working sump pump.

Installing A Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier is a basement waterproofing treatment that protects your home from moisture. This is a sheet that goes between the walls and the ground outside. It helps a lot by controlling the humidity and keeping the foundation of your home encapsulated, which means that it's totally separated from the air outside. This also keeps the air inside your house, which saves you on heating and cooling.

Crawl Space Waterproofing
Although it's not exactly basement waterproofing, you should consider also doing crawl spaces. If you've got musty air there, it's also going to affect your home's indoor air quality. Crawl spaces are perfect breeding grounds for allergens and also critters. Encapsulating that crawl space is a really simple thing you can do to keep that area of the house mold and pest free. It will also have a huge effect on your home's overall humidity level.

Landscaping For A Better Basement
You should also think about your home's landscaping. If you've got plants that are close to the house's foundation or a yard that tapers down toward the foundation, you'll have added water seepage and moisture problems. If this is the case, it's really worthwhile for you to reshape the area around your house so that it leads water away from it.

Why You Should Hire The Pros To Do It
There are all kinds of websites, books and video tutorials that promise to teach you basement waterproofing in a way that's easy. But unfortunately, it isn't easy for anybody. That's why professionals have certifications, training and a whole arsenal of tools. While you can do some of your own basement waterproofing, if you have any doubts about your handyman abilities, call the pros and have them do it right.