Basement Waterproofing Tips & How To Fix A Wet Basement

Having a wet basement is a nightmare. Not only is it damaging to your house, but it can lead to some serious health issues. This is particularly the problem if you want to turn your basement into a living space. You will risk having mold, which very often provokes allergic reactions. And aside from it, you will also be faced with pests, dust mites and bacteria whose prime breeding ground is a moist environment. Thus, with the aim of making your life easier, we have chosen 8 ways in which you can dry up your basement in no time, both in case of outside and inside damage sources.

Eliminate all the damaged items

If you want to successfully fight against the consequences of moisture, you must get rid of all damp things from your basement, starting with the carpet, wooden floor, etc. It may seem extreme, but you have to realize that these things have become the perfect home for mold, which you certainly don’t want to have in your basement.

Repair the cracks

Cracks in the concrete are one of the most frequent reasons why your basement is wet. They can occur even in newly poured ones, and this is why you have to act fast. In order to avoid the rain finding its way to your basement and pooling in it, use patching cement to fill and seal all the cracks and the holes in the walls.

Call the experts

In some cases, your DIY abilities are not enough to dry out your basement. So, don’t shy from contacting an expert who can build in basement drainage sheets, which will certainly provide effective drainage. They represent a waterproof protection which will reduce the level of moisture in your basement in no time, thus reducing the possibility of mold appearing.

Keep the water far away from the foundation

This advice is particularly important when the cause of the moisture is coming from the outside. When it is raining or when the snow is melting, it can happen that the water is directed down your foundation directly into the basement.  The best solution for this issue is creating a slope which will divert the water away from the foundation.

Extend Downspouts

Very often downspouts cause basement moisture. If they are too close to the foundation, the water, instead of being directed away from the house, will flow down and flood it. For this reason, you should extend your downspouts so that the water won’t get close to the house. Or you can even connect them to buried drainpipes.

Insulate pipes

The water coming from the outside is not always the source of moisture. If you have pipes in the basement, it will be desirable to insulate them because when they are cold, the water condensates and it drips from them making your basement a humid place. You can pay a professional to do this job, or, if you have time, you can do it yourself as well. The second option is much better since it is cost-effective, and the results are the same. The foam insulation is inexpensive and you can easily cut it with scissors, which will spare you any hard work.

Insulate walls

If the cause of moisture in the basement is condensation, insulating the walls is a good solution for this problem.  Not only will they prevent condensation, but they will also save the energy spent on heating the space. On the other hand, you should avoid doing this if the water is coming from the outside because it will only cover the problem and create the perfect environment for mold to develop. In cases like these, it is highly recommendable to deal with the source of flooding first, like in case of wall cracks that we have mentioned.

Install a dehumidifier

A high-quality dehumidifier is something certainly worth investing in. This is an electric appliance which can do wonders. It will remove moisture from the interior air, and thus turn your basement into an area suitable for living, instead of being a home to mold. There are various types of dehumidifiers which differ in size and strength, so you just have to make sure to find the right one for your place.

As you can see, drying out a basement is not an easy job; however, if you carefully consider the ideas from this article, you will realize how much you can do by yourself. And if you can’t, the experts will always be there to help you.