If you are a new homeowner or have years of experience, chances are you have asked yourself the following question: “Should I waterproof my basement?”.
In this article, we explore the different signs that indicate you should waterproof your basement. We’ve also included a few images from our Photo Gallery to illustrate each point better.
Do I Need to Waterproof My Basement? – A Short Answer
In general, the answer to “Do I need to waterproof my basement?” is yes! Basement waterproofing provides you with long-term protection against a variety of issues including flooding, mold, insect infestations, wall cracks, rust, and serious structural problems such as bowed walls. In addition, basement waterproofing increases the value of your home and reduces energy costs.
Signs You Should Waterproof Your Basement
These are some signs that indicate that you should seriously consider basement waterproofing.
Visible Water
If you can see water in your basement or crawl space, your home is in trouble. It’s annoying to handle without the proper systems and worse yet, it will probably lead to some other issues if you don’t already have them.
Some ways you can commonly find water in your basement include:
- Flooding
- Puddles
- Water stains
Now you might be thinking, “My basement only has water in it after heavy rain,” but your home needs to be able to handle this water the correct way and keep it outside where it belongs. In fact, our customers have been able to keep their basements bone dry, even during record rainfalls.
This image has been taken from our Photo Gallery.
The “Typical” Basement Smell
You may not be able to see water intruding into your basement, but if your basement has the “typical” basement smell, or, to be more specific, a “musty” smell, it’s more often than not a sign of high humidity.
When indoor air is saturated with high levels of moisture, it can affect more than what your home smells like. If you don’t act quickly to control your home’s air quality, you could start to see mold, mildew, or even rust. Toxic house syndrome is another unfortunate outcome of poor indoor air quality.
Cracking In the Walls or Floor
Most cracks in a foundation are caused by water in the ground around your home pushing against your foundation. Your home’s foundation gets put under a lot of pressure and can eventually crack if the water isn’t moved away from it.
Even if a crack is small now, if it’s not taken care of with professional crack repair, it can lead to much bigger problems down the road.
This image has been taken from our Photo Gallery.
Mold and Mildew
High levels of moisture in a home can easily cause other issues that can quickly grow out of control. After servicing over 80,000 basements, we’ve found that mold and mildew are also clear signs of a basement that needs waterproofing.
Mold can be especially dangerous as exposure to it can cause a variety of health effects such as stuffy nose, wheezing, coughing, skin rash, and more. These issues can get significantly worse if the individual is allergic to mold.
This image has been taken from our Photo Gallery.
Rust Formation
Basements are often used to store old appliances, metal tools, and construction components such as toasters, screwdrivers, and nails. When there’s humidity in the basement, these items can get rusted over time.
If you are asking yourself the question “Should I waterproof my basement?” and you find your metallic items rusted, the answer is most likely a yes.
Bowed Walls
Bowed walls can happen in extreme cases or over long periods of water pressure that can shift a foundation out of place. If this sounds like something you’re going through, as professional providers of basement waterproofing solutions with over 39 years of experience, we suggest taking immediate action as it could be a dangerous situation for you and your home.
Wet Walls and Efflorescence
Although it sounds obvious, wet walls are a clear sign that moisture is infiltrating your basement. In addition, you may also notice that your walls are “chalky”. This is called efflorescence.
Efflorescence forms when water in your basement walls evaporates and leaves behind mineral residue.
This image has been taken from our Photo Gallery.
Warped Doors
Wooden doors absorb moisture and swell up. This can cause a variety of issues such as difficulty opening and opening them, and in some extreme cases, even warp.
Insect Issues
A damp basement is the ideal place for different types of insects to live and procreate. Based on our experience, these are some of the most common insects that can thrive in a wet basement:
- Silverfish
- Centipedes
- Mold mites
- Earwigs
- Woodlice
- Crickets
Learn more about this topic by visiting our blog post on basement insects.
Additional Reasons to Waterproof Your Basement
Here’s some additional information to complement our answer to the question: “Should I waterproof my basement?”.
Prevent Flooding and Other Issues
According to the USGS, a rainstorm that amounts to one inch of rain dumps almost 30,000 gallons of water on a single acre. All that water needs somewhere to go, and if it can find a way into your foundation, that’s where it will go.
In addition to that, a leaky pipe can eject several inches of water into your basement overnight if you lack a waterproofing system that includes a way to discharge and drain the moisture!
Basement waterproofing also helps you prevent other issues such as mold, insect infestations, and rust.
Reduce Energy Costs
Basement waterproofing helps you achieve consistent energy savings throughout the year. This is why a wet basement can increase the overall humidity levels in the whole house, making HVAC systems work harder (especially in summer and winter) to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Increase Value
Real estate experts estimate that waterproofing your basement can increase your home value by about 30%, making basement waterproofing a great investment if you are planning to sell your house in the years to come.
In addition, having a waterproofed basement demonstrates to prospective buyers that you have taken preventive measures to ensure that your home was in good condition while you owned it.
Keeping Your Family Safe
Moisture represents a threat to your family’s safety for multiple reasons. Waterproofing your basement keeps mold and insects away and keeps the structural integrity of your home intact for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about: “Should I waterproof my basement?”.
I Just Bought a House. How Do I Know if My Basement Needs Waterproofing?
If you notice any or multiple of the signs below, then you most likely need to waterproof your basement:
- Visible water
- The “typical” basement smell
- Cracking in the walls or floor
- Mold and mildew
- Rust formation
- Bowed walls
- Wet walls and efflorescence
- Warped doors
- Insect issues
What Are the Disadvantages of Basement Waterproofing?
Depending on the waterproofing method, there are several disadvantages to keep in mind. Interior waterproofing tends to be a tedious process as stored items need to be moved out so that they are not close to the basement walls and floors.
On the other hand, exterior waterproofing tends to be an expensive and disruptive method. In the end, the best method depends on your specific needs and budget.
What Is the Cost of Waterproofing a Basement?
The cost of basement waterproofing varies widely depending on your specific situation and budget. However, in general, exterior waterproofing tends to be more expensive than interior waterproofing.
Schedule Your FREE 20-Point Inspection
Eliminate your current basement issues, harness new peace of mind knowing your basement will stay dry for the life of your home, and greatly improve the health of your home. If one of these goals sounds like something you’d like to accomplish, you should waterproof your basement.
If you’re considering waterproofing your basement, EverDry Toledo can help with a FREE waterproofing estimate! We’ll perform a professional, 20-point foundation inspection and work with your basement’s unique situation to determine the best possible, tailored solution for your home.
Contact us online to schedule an appointment or give us a call at (419) 841-6055 and schedule your inspection today!
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