As the weather starts to warm, the Midwest nears the rainy season. While crops, grass, and animals thrive and rely on annual rainfall, it can sometimes have disastrous effects on your home’s basement. But, this is not inevitable – there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your home from water damage in your basement. Waterproofing your basement in the spring is a smart move to prevent water damage and mold growth.
Before you even start waterproofing you will want to inspect your basement for any existing leaks. You will want to look for signs of water damage, such as discoloration, dampness, or mold growth. Fixing leaks should always be done before waterproofing your basement because waterproofing without fixing leaks is like putting a band-aid on a wound without cleaning it first. The leak will continue to allow water to seep into your basement, and over time, the water will damage the waterproofing, rendering it ineffective.
Before waterproofing, it is crucial to remove any dirt, debris, and other contaminants from the walls and floors. This will ensure that the waterproofing materials adhere correctly and prevent any gaps or weaknesses in the system. This will also ensure that the waterproofing materials can adhere properly to the surfaces which will improve the durability and effectiveness of the waterproofing system. And finally, if you apply waterproofing materials over dirty surfaces, mold and mildew can grow underneath the waterproofing layer. This can cause health problems and damage to your property. Cleaning the walls and floors before waterproofing helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
Choose a high-quality waterproofing sealant and apply it to the walls and floors of your basement. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and functioning properly. When gutters are clogged, water cannot flow through them properly. Instead, the water can back up and overflow, pouring over the sides of the gutters and down the walls of your home. This water can seep into your basement through cracks, windows, and other openings, causing flooding. This can also cause water to pool around the foundation of your home. Over time, this water can seep into the foundation, causing it to weaken and crack. This can lead to water entering your basement through these cracks.
While applying waterproofing sealant yourself to the walls and floors of your basement, sometimes you need more extensive measures to completely waterproof your basement. By hiring Dry Basements, we can ensure that your basement is properly waterproofed.
While waterproofing your basement, we suggest that you take a look at our Basement Magic remodeling systems to see how Dry Basement® can transform your basement. For more information or to schedule a basement inspection and evaluation, contact us to schedule an appointment. We have a large service area covering Kansas City, Des Moines, Columbia, and Wichita. Find out if we can waterproof your basement today!
