You should waterproof your basement before the winter comes rather than waiting until after snow and ice have already set in. Here are several ways that you can benefit from doing this.
Prevent Your Basement From Flooding
When the snow and ice melts, your basement can flood if you haven’t had it properly sealed. This is especially likely if there is visible damage such as cracks or ill-fitting seals around your windows.
Not only will a professional apply a sealer to your basement, but they will also fix the cracks. While the freezing and thawing of ice around your foundation can cause cracks on their own, proper sealant and waterproofing before winter sets can protect against that damage and keep melted water out.
Protect Your Health
If you have standing water in your basement, especially if any have seeped into the drywall and insulation, then mold and mildew can easily develop. It can be difficult for you to remove mold and mildew. They can also pose a hazard to your health.
Skin allergies, asthma, eye irritation and fever are some of the problems that are associated with being exposed to mold or mildew.
Mold growth is especially dangerous because in winter, you may not realize the water has seeped into the areas behind the drywall until you are faced with a full mold outbreak in spring.
Preventative steps like basement waterproofing are the only ways to keep outside water from coming in or inside water from settling through your walls.
Repairs Are More Difficult in Winter
Water can cause hundreds of dollars of damage to your basement. You may not be able to use your basement for a while after it has suffered water damage due to complications with freezing weather and ice that may have formed around the foundation.
This damage can also spread to other parts of your home and leave you with little ability to stop it until spring. This is especially true for those living in harsh climates where snow remains in place for the majority of the winter months.
some basement flood removal ideas to consider
Even if you were able to find someone to apply repairs and waterproofing during the bad weather, existing ice and snow would make the treatments much less effective.
Reduce Home Insurance Costs
It is estimated that 20 percent of insurance claims are filed because of water damage. Your premium will likely go up after you file a claim. Additionally, you will likely have to pay a deductible before the home insurance company pays anything.
You can save money on your insurance by waterproofing the basement. Not only can you prevent claims, however, but you can actually lower your premiums by showing proof of your waterproofing to the insurance company. Those who are proactive in their home care tend to be rewarded by their insurance companies, as it saves everyone money in the long run.
other valuable tips:
While it may not seem prudent to spend money on waterproofing your foundation and basement now while the weather is dry, weather has become increasingly inclement with changes in global temperatures. Larger storms have become normal, and rather than waiting for your home to become damaged, it is much more prudent to take steps now to stop it.
Find Basement Remodeling Services Additions Major Remodels Minor Remodels Home Theater top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Image credit: waterproof your basement twenty20.com by Pixabay
end of post … please share it!
PHOTO COLLECTION: basement ideas to consider
|__________________________________________________________|
home remodeling surprise
find out where it might go - new win
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this article within your social networks.
