Waterproofing Your Home This Spring

Have you noticed water leaking from your roof? Making puddles in your basement or crawlspace? It's time to consider waterproofing your home. Waterproofing protects you against water damage that may weaken (or ruin) the structure of the house.

Three Types of Waterproofing Measures

There are three types of waterproofing measures that can be applied to one's home.

1. The first and most basic are sealers applied on interior walls and flooring. These are used to prevent high humidity in basements, which lead to mold and mildew build up. Molds can cause sickness for the home's inhabitants. However, floor and wall sealers will not be able to withstand or prevent water leaks caused in an area where hydrostatic pressure is a problem.

2. For more serious problems, one may choose to install interior or exterior drainage devices. For water that is visibly leaking in, interior draining can be done by carrying water away from the building's foundation by way of a sump pump.

3. A preventative measure that can be taken is also procuring an exterior draining method, consisting of a polymer compound being applied to the foundation's exterior walls. The latter option is the only method which is acknowledged by the International Building Code as able to prevent structural water damage.

Usually, a home is waterproofed during the beginning stages of the building's construction. It is best done at this point because it will incur the least amount of cost, as well as being much simpler to do than working around a finished building. However, it can be done to a home which has already been finished. Any problems left unattended could result in more serious structural damage to the home, as well as much higher costs tacked on to fix them.

Waterproofing protects the home's foundation. Structural damage that starts from the basement can affect the rest of the home making it unsafe. The walls get cracks that can go all the way to the ceiling. Homes that have been exposed to water damage over a long period often end up being uninhabitable.

It also protects the inhabitants from health hazards that are caused by mold or mildew. Moisture encourages the growth of mold, which can be very harmful to health. There are people who have suffered from lifelong chronic conditions due to exposure to mold. Additionally, it protects the valuables stored in the home basement. Many people store valuable items like paintings, photographs, and even furniture, in the basement. Water can cause irreversible damage to the items leading to thousands of dollars in losses.

Lastly, waterproofing helps to maintain the value of the home by preserving it in its original condition. Water damage can lower the value of a home, and you cannot fetch a good price for a home with problem water damage.

If you're looking to waterproof your home, it's time to call My Foundation Repairs. We are experts in waterproofing, and we can give you advice and schedule a consultation. Give us a call today for more information!