No one wants to come home to find water damage to their basement. There are easy steps to take which can lower your risk and prevent this experience in your home. Companies like Helitech outline the basic ways to keep your basement safe from water damage. If you use professionals to install these basic safeguards, your basement will likely remain livable and water-free.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage

• Basement Waterproofing
• Crawlspace Waterproofing
• Exterior Waterproofing

It is important to address not just one, but all three of these components of a waterproof foundation. Once you begin to have a problem with water damage, it tends to quickly become worse. Waterproofing a basement or foundation can be a lot of work. It requires skill, and it is necessary that it be done correctly. This is an area in which you might want to consider hiring professionals rather than doing the project yourself. It’s not an easy job so leaving it to foundation repair Canyon Lake would be your best option.

There are several sites online which will provide you with DIY procedures if you want to take on this task. However, by using a company like Helitech, you can ensure that you are having the best-patented components on the market installed to protect your foundation. You also will have the satisfaction of knowing that your project has been done right and that your basement is truly protected from water damage.

Dangerous of Insufficient Waterproofing

Of course, sitting water and constant dampness cause structural damage over time, but there are also other dangers that come along with not having your foundation effectively waterproofed. High humidity can foster the growth of mold and other undesirable bacteria, and this can attract bugs and various pests into the basement and home. Proper sealing can keep you from having to deal with these pests.

Water that sits too long can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes within your home. These more aggressive pests can also spread diseases to your family and make life uncomfortable within your home. Any type of larvae growing within puddles in your basement can become a risk for your family. If you have sitting water, it is advisable to go ahead and mop it up and dry out the area with a fan.

We will explore some of these best practices for maintaining a waterproof foundation in the paragraphs below. They are easy steps, which can save you a lot of money and protect both your family and your home in the long-run.

You want to make sure your family is safe from risks that could cause them to be sick. Mold is often associated with sickness and household pests can carry diseases that can be communicated to your family members. These pests won’t stay in your basement for long either. If you begin to have a problem in your basement, chances are it will spread throughout the rest of your house.

Basement Waterproofing

The basement moisture barrier is the first line of defense in protecting a home’s basement from water damage. This barrier is made of panels and connectors which match. It can give your basement a more refined look and homey feel, while also protecting it from water damage. This structure removes water 70% faster than other drainage systems, and it is more aesthetic to look at.

These panels will go right along with the walls and décor you may already have in place in your basement. While they are serving the purpose of quickly ridding the area of water in the case of flooding, they are also adding value and beauty to your home. You do not have to use a gaudy contraption to keep your basement safe and dry.

Crawlspace Waterproofing

For Crawlspace protection, a moisture barrier should be laid down underneath each of your home’s crawlspaces. This barrier keeps small amounts of moisture from entering your structural wood and causing slow damage, which can become detrimental over time. There are several problems that can be associated with damp crawlspaces, and you want to ensure your home is protected from these.

Naturally, after rains, water seeps through the ground and the area under your crawlspace can become wet. Humidity will force this dampness up into your floorboards and your basement. This creates problems that often spread quickly. Once one area is affected, typically the rot and damage will spread to other areas of your basement and home.

First, the slow rot of the wood can spread and compromise the structure of your home. Secondly, dampness promotes the growth of mold and harmful bacteria and provides a breeding ground for traditional household pests. Taking small and easy steps, like having the moisture barrier installed, can keep you from having to deal with these problems under and within your home.

Professionals will lay down the moisture barrier between the ground and the structure of your crawlspaces to keep dampness from spreading and infiltrating the structure of your home. This is a simple, yet effective practice that can save you a lot of money, time, and frustration down the road.

Along with the moisture barrier, sump pumps should be installed in your crawl spaces to help pump out excess water. This will minimize your drying time and keep you from having to repair water damage later down the road. Sump pumps are fairly small and inexpensive.

Exterior Waterproofing

Exterior basement waterproofing is just as important as protecting your basement from within. This seals the water out of your basement, and over time can prevent the costs of replacing boards and restoring your basement after water damage. This is essentially the first line of defense against water entering your basement and causing damage to your home.

In exterior basement waterproofing, a sealant is applied to the outside structure of your basement, keeping water from reaching the inside of the basement in the first place. Professionals are able to apply this sealant to places that would not necessarily be easy to reach if you took on the project of waterproofing your basement exterior on your own.

Is there is Already Water in Your Basement?

What to do if you have already noticed water in your basement:

• Make an appointment for professionals to investigate
• Clean the area with a mop or towel
• Use a fan and dehumidifier to dry the affected area

Since basements are built below the ground, it is only natural for water to get in. So before you hire someone to waterproof your basement, what do you do about problems which may have already presented. Puddles on the floor are, of course, an obvious indication that you are experiencing water damage, but there may also be other tell-tale signs that water is getting into your basement.

If you notice water running down the concrete walls of your basement, you would need to point those areas out to the professionals who come to do your waterproofing. Likely, the exterior sealant they will use is going to take care of this problem. Concrete is porous, therefore without the sealant, it is normal to see that moisture has made its way through your basement walls.

Extremely high humidity or a wet feeling in the air may also tell you that your basement is getting some exposure to water or dampness. Once again, this humidity is a bad sign, because it fosters the growth of molds. You may want to dry out your basement area with a dehumidifier and a large fan before you have the professionals come to do the waterproofing.

Be sure and let the team you have hired know if you have already noticed any water damage or water pooling within your basement. This will give them an idea of where problem areas may be and how they can better protect your basement from water-related problems in the future. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your home.

The Advantages of Waterproofing your Foundation

There are countless problems that can be associated with having a leaky basement or having a basement that contains too much humidity. You want to protect your family from pests and mold, of course, but you also want to keep your home from sustaining long-term damage. Repairs can be very costly when water damage begins to spread within your basement.

Naturally, you also want your basement to be a welcoming and usable part of the home. Many people use their basements to hold guest rooms or play areas for their children. No one wants a dank, moldy space being used by the ones they love. Make your basement tidy and safe by having it waterproofed as soon as possible, using the suggested practices above.

A basement is part of your home and should be safeguarded, just as any other room or part of the structure. Problems that begin in the basement or foundation are likely to spread to the main structure of your house. People should recognize how important it is to protect their basements through sealants, pumps, panels, and other protective measures.