Don't Let Water Sink Your Basement
A basement can significantly increase the square footage of your home and give you a large, usable space that can be customized to meet your family's needs. Unfortunately, basements can also become a major source of stress when they begin to leak.
Because basements are below ground level, the moisture in the soil surrounding your home can infiltrate your basement walls and wreak havoc on your home. Strategic waterproofing is required to keep water out of your basement.
Maintain your rain gutters.
One of the easiest things that you can do to keep water out of your basement is make sure your rain gutters are functioning properly. Rain gutters are designed to collect water from your home's roof and shuttle it away from your residence.
If your rain gutters fall into disrepair or your downspouts drain too close to your home's foundation, then the soil around your basement will become waterlogged. This creates hydrostatic pressure.
Hydrostatic pressure can cause the concrete walls of your basement to split and crack, providing access points for water to infiltrate. Making sure that your rain gutters are working properly will help you keep your basement waterproofed in the future.
Check for plumbing leaks.
Water can find its way into your basement through broken pipes. It's important that you take the time to regularly inspect your plumbing system for signs of leaks.
You might notice a sudden increase in your water bill, or see evidence of water staining on the drywall in your basement when you have a plumbing leak. You can also inspect any visible pipes for signs of corrosion that might indicate the pipes are weak and susceptible to leaks.
Repairing leaks quickly and replacing any damaged pipes will help you prevent significant water damage from plaguing your basement.
Install a perimeter drainage system.
If you want to maximize the amount of protection your basement has against water infiltration, it can be beneficial to install a perimeter drainage system. This requires that you hire an experienced contractor to dig the soil away from your home's foundation so that the exterior walls of your basement are exposed.
A series of drains that help funnel water to a sump pump can then be installed to prevent water from collecting near your home's foundation. Perimeter drains are a type of waterproofing that will prevent serious damage and ensure that your home remains structurally sound well into the future. Contact a company, like Sohan and Sons, for more help.