Concerned about Basement Water Damage?

Waterproof Your Basement to Avoid Water Damage

Have you waterproofed your basement? It’s an investment in time and money to hire a contractor to preemptively strike, but the benefit of keeping your home dry during the wet, rainy fall is most certainly worth it.

The key is to be proactive.

It’s hard to reverse the damage caused by water. But by preparing ahead of time, you will sleep better through those thunderstorms and not be surprised the next morning by a big and costly surprise.

Is your home geographically prone to leakage?

Preventive measures are certainly easier to justify when you’ve had prior water damage or live at the bottom of a steep hill, etc. But even if you’ve never had a problem, do you really want to tempt fate?

When shopping for a home, always check to see if the basement has any water marks that indicate previous damage, or a freshly painted basement might mean the sellers are trying to cover something up. Visit the home right after a rain and check to see if the walls are dry—if you really want to do your research.

Easy steps to staying ahead

Of course there’s no guarantee that any of the measures you take to protect your home will actually hold up, but here are a few steps you can take to put you in the best possible position.

• Invest in basement waterproofing services—you will not only increase the value of your home, you may even qualify for lower home insurance rates.
• Hire an inspector to check everything—they will identify any issues related to the foundation or structure that put you at risk.
• Clean your gutters. Collected rainwater that gets blocked from leaves or debris cannot direct the water away from your home.
• Invest in sump pumps, a generator, and back-up supplies. If you lose electricity in a storm, you’ll need the generator to power the sump pump.
• Purchase flood insurance. Especially if you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains and storming. You can never be too prepared.
• If you chose to remodel your basement to be used as a home office, media room, or guest suite, you’ll want to be sure this extra finished space stays dry and warm to retain your investment.

Consult with a professional contractor. A professional will guide you through the various options.