Protecting The Basement Of Your Home From Water Damage

Water damage can cause serious problems for your home regardless of where it occurs. Unfortunately, there are areas of the home that will be particularly susceptible to experiencing water damage. In particular, a home's basement can be one area that may be highly vulnerable to suffering extensive water damage. Fortunately, there are strategies that can effectively mitigate the threats that water damage will pose to this area of a house.

Preventing Water From Entering Through Cracks In The Walls

During the waterproofing process, it will be necessary to thoroughly evaluate the interior walls and floors of the basement. Any cracks or gaps that are found will need to be sealed as these can be potential entry points for moisture that is seeping through the walls. Often, these openings can be fairly small, but they do not have to be large to be able to allow large amounts of moisture to seep into this space over the course of time.

Applying A Waterproof Barrier To The Walls

Once the cracks and gaps in the walls have been patched, a waterproof barrier can be applied to these surfaces. Most often, the barrier will be a thin layer of epoxy that is applied over the surface of these walls. This coating will be able to stop moisture from seeping into the interior of the basement, and it can be both effective and durable. However, it will need to be applied over the entire surface area of the walls and floors. For this reason, the basement will need to be emptied of any items that are being stored in it.

Improving Ventilation In The Basement

Ventilation improvements can also help to lessen the risk of water damage occurring to the basement. Moisture in the air that settles in these areas of the home can lead to condensation forming on many of the surfaces. Unfortunately, this can eventually contribute to corrosion, mold, and other types of water damage that can be costly to have repaired. Improving the ventilation in the basement can alleviate these problems as it will help to encourage condensation to evaporate. For those that live in areas that are particularly humid, installing a dehumidifier can be another improvement that will prevent condensation from being able to form in these areas. While homeowners can often underestimate the damage that persistent condensation can cause, these steps can help to protect their homes from the complications that it can cause.

To learn more, contact a company that offers waterproofing services. 

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