Basements are often the first rooms to be built in a house, but they are often the least used rooms as time passes. They often become places to store things that are used sparingly. Even though this is their main purpose, paying attention to their maintenance or waterproofing basement precautions is important.
During the rainy season, when there are problems like a wet basement and water leaks, neglect can be a big problem. This situation could be better, so ensuring the basement is waterproof is necessary. The following are the do’s and don’ts for waterproofing basement and replacement.
1. Ensure You Locate The Source Of Leakage
Before sealing your basement, you must find out where the water comes from. Finding out where the water problem started lets you fix it and stops it from happening again. If the water leak comes from a direct source, it’s best to check all the water lines.
If the leak is indirect, it could be caused by humidity, which often comes from bathrooms nearby. In this case, the water leak should be fixed before any other sealing work is done. This method ensures the problem is fixed at its source, setting the groundwork for good waterproofing basement.
2. Avoid Basement Repairs When There Is Still Water In The Basement
After removing any standing water, it’s important to ensure the basement walls are fixed properly. It’s important to dry the area when sealing a wet basement.
Trying to fix something when there is water around can cause electricity shocks and should not be something you make a mistake of doing. So, it’s important to deal with the water problem so that the repairs can be done safely and effectively.
3. You Can Use Hydraulic Cement For Crack Repairs
Before starting a basement waterproofing job, it’s important to fix any cracks in the foundation with hydraulic cement. This special cement works well by expanding and forming watertight ties with the wall.
This seals any cracks and keeps water from leaking in again. This proactive step ensures that the foundation is ready before waterproofing, improving the job’s overall success.
4. Don’t Ignore Leaks From The Window Wells
When there isn’t enough drainage around the window well, basement windows are often a source of water leaks. To fix this problem, it’s important to ensure water gets out of the window well area properly.
This means keeping the water in the window well under control, setting up a reliable drainage system, and sealing the area. By fixing window well water leaks first, you can ensure your basement waterproofing job is more thorough and successful.
5. Do A Research On All Options
Before starting the waterproofing process, it is important to do a lot of study on the different options. Your home’s waterproofing method should be chosen based on your situation. This will ensure that your waterproofing method is tailored to meet your needs. This personalized method is important to effectively meet your needs and stop water from leaking into your basement.
6. Avoid Using DIY Sealants
Even though DIY sealants have become popular as a cheap way to fix small basement leaks and stop flooding, you should consider them a short-term answer.
These do-it-yourself sealants from the shop might work briefly but break down quickly. If you want sealing that works and lasts, hiring a professional instead of just using the adhesives you buy at the store is best. Water leaks in the basement can be fixed better and for longer by hiring a professional waterproofing service.
7. Check Cracks Frequently
When trying to keep water out of your house, especially the basement, foundation cracks can be a big problem. If you’ve seen water getting into your basement, you need to check the walls carefully to see if there are any problems. Water from the ground can get in through these cracks.
Once you find a crack in the base, it’s very important to fix it right away. If you don’t fix the problem immediately, the crack could get bigger over time, making it harder to keep your basement dry. So, it would help if you sealed cracks quickly and well to stop more water from getting in and protect your basement from problems caused by moisture.
