The How and Why of Basement Waterproofing
There are several ways to waterproof your basement, including French drains, sump pumps, dehumidifiers, and sealants. Any or all of these basement waterproofing techniques will help keep your basement dry, your home's living space safe, and increase your home's comfort and overall monetary value.
How Water Enters a Basement
Water typically enters a home or basement in one (or more) of three ways: via air movement, heat transfer, or diffusion. Of these, air movement is by far the most common method of water vapor movement in a basement. Because air moves from high- to low-pressure areas (by any means necessary), it can transfer moisture through any open holes, cracks, or unsealed spaces in a basement's walls or floors. Water can even pass through small cracks in concrete, wood, or masonry blocks via capillary action. These small cracks are able to absorb water in any direction, causing serious damage to a home's basement.
Why It's Important to Keep Your Basement Dry
Many homeowners choose to renovate their basement to make it a usable space. It might become a child's playroom, a spare bedroom, a home office, or a game room. Other homeowners, however, do not need or use their basement, and prefer keeping it as a storage space or simply a part of the house that one simply passes through from time to time.
Whether your basement is fully-functional or completely empty, it's important to keep it dry at all times. Why? For starters, proper sealing helps to protect against possible flooding. It's also important to keep a basement dry because any wetness, dampness, or moisture in a basement can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can cause such health issues as asthma and allergies (as well as more serious concerns).
A wet, damp, or humid basement is considered unsafe, regardless of whether you use the space on a day-to-day basis. That's because mold and mildew growth can start in the basement and make its way up to the more lived-in areas of a home. It's important to keep your basement dry at all times and stop a potential problem before it can begin.
How to Keep Your Basement Dry
The best way to keep your basement dry is to find a trustworthy and knowledgeable basement waterproofing specialist serving your area. He or she can help identify immediate or potential problems, and recommend basement waterproofing solutions to protect your basement and family against potential flooding and/or possible mold- or mildew-related health issues.
Your basement waterproofing specialist may recommend installing a basement sump pump (with a battery-powered backup pump), a perimeter drainage system, a French drain system, waterproof flooring, basement wall coverings, and/or an energy-efficient dehumidifier. There are many effective ways to keep your basement dry; it's just a matter of taking the initiative to speak with a certified basement waterproofing specialist to find out which options are best for your home, climate, and budget.
Don't wait! Research basement waterproofing specialists serving your area to learn about how water enters your basement and ways in which you can keep your basement dry, safe, and usable year-round!
Contact the experts at McInroy Basement Systems today for a free estimate for basement waterproofing in Belleville and all surrounding areas in Ontario!