Waterproofing Basement Walls

If you are concerned about water damage, then it is imperative that you start waterproofing basement walls immediately. Don’t delay at all. Most people fall into the trap of waiting until they are settled into their new or existing home before they start the waterproofing process, but this is a mistake. Basement waterproofing is critical if you plan on enjoying that wonderful home you have purchased or owned for a while.

Waterproof Basement Walls Before the Damage

It is much easier to waterproof basement walls before the water damage has struck than it is to clean up the water damage first, then go back and start the waterproofing. Cleaning up your water damage is going to be a great chore and pain in the butt by itself, then you will be forced to go back after the fact and waterproof the basement walls.

Some of the main causes of water damage in your basement is from flooding. This usually occurs when there is a big rain outside and the city sewer systems cannot handle the load and this puts added pressure on your sump pump, which might go out and cause the flooding. As water sits in your basement, it settles and begins to work on basement floors and walls. This will drive you crazy. Do yourself a favor and get to waterproofing basement walls before any of this madness starts.

Waterproofing Basement Walls Cost

One of the major reasons that you might be hesitant about waterproofing your basement walls is basement waterproofing cost. Relax, this is natural in this economic market because everyone is concerned about money and their finances. So don’t go off the deep end worried that you might be too cheap in this market because there is no such thing when you are trying to conserve your money.

However, if you consider that waterproofing your basement walls, floors, crawl space, interior, and exterior as an investment, then you will see things in a whole new light. There are plenty of ways to throw your money away , but the cost of basement waterproofing is not one of them. And I plan on showing you exactly how beneficial it can be. Allow me to explain.

Waterproofing Basement Walls as an Investment Not A Cost

Waterproofing basement walls is an investment in your future and it brings you a ton of benefits. Sure it is going to cost you money and time in the short run, but it is worth the investment over the long period of time. Here are some of the long term investment benefits of waterproofing your basement walls.

Security -  Once you have your basement walls waterproofed, then more than likely you will not have to go through this again. Once it is  done, it is done and you don’t have to worry. This is big because now every time you have an heavy rain, snow, or the sewers overflow in your community you won’t have to worry, stress, and run to the basement every 30 minutes hoping that your wonderful, newly finished basement hasn’t flooded and ruined all  your hard earned money and work.

Savings – Over the long run if you think about it, the cost of waterproofing your basement walls will pay for itself ten fold. If ever so many years or times a year, your basement floods and ruins your carpet, drywall, merchandise, or memories, then what is the cost of this? Thousands, tens of thousands of dollars? Who knows? But, once you take the time to waterproof your basement walls, foundation, and crawl space then you will be in the clear. And this will ultimately save you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars over the next 20 to 30 years.

Increased Home Value – This may not rock the boat too much, but if you waterproof your basement walls, then you will increase the value of your home. Ok, this might not be a dollar for dollar value on the appraisal, however, when you are trying to sell your home every additional benefit that you do to the property will weigh in that potential buyers head and ultimately help them to make a decision. Consider yourself or realtor letting that potential buyer know that they can relax because this home will never flood thanks to you having the foresight to waterproof your basement walls and not worry about the cost.

3 Reasons Waterproofing Basement Walls is Needed

Basically, there are three reasons you may need to waterproof your basement walls and the all have to do with leakage and seepage of water through the wall. The 3 reasons are devised based on how, or rather why, the leakage or seepage occurs in the first place.

1) Poor initial craftsmanship - Believe it or not, not all homes are built with great craftsmanship and this is ultimately sometimes the reason you might have cracks in your basement walls and floor. Poor craftsmanship will lead to seepage and leakage of the basement walls and it will be obviously for you to detect.

2) Settling in the Walls – Settling is when your home over the years, shift and moves a bit causing some cracking in the basement walls and floor of your home or basement.

3) Water pressure from outside – This happens sometimes where the water on the outside of the basement walls in the dirt builds up so much that it forces it’s way into the home causing cracks in the basement walls or floor.

Detecting Leaks in your Basement Walls

Identifying leaks in your basement walls caused by the three main reasons listed above is rather simple. All you have to do is look and feel. If you notice water running down your wall and creating puddle on your flood, then you have a great sign that there is a leak. Trace the trail of water to the wall that is leaking and follow it up to see if you notice any cracks or holes in the wall, then you are there. You have discovered the source, but there is still work to do to repair the leak in your basement walls.

The question you have to answer at this point is do you want to do the work yourself or do you want to hire a basement waterproofing contractor to handle the work for you. As with any type of decision, you have a lot to consider, but let’s take a minute to discuss these things together.

Basement Waterproofing Contractor or Do It Yourself Waterproofing

The Million Dollar waterproofing basement walls question at this point is do you repair the leak yourself is do you hire a basement waterproofing contractor to repair the leak for you or do you want to do it yourself? It is true that the cost of waterproofing a basement wall by yourself would be cheaper than hiring a contract. However, one of the potential reasons the basement is leaking in the first place is do to shoddy work, so unless you have the skills to pay the bills, then maybe you want to consider hiring a professional.

This factors into the question waterproofing cost again, but you have to again realize this is a long term investment and not a short term cost. Again, if you have the skills to make this happen, then I suggest that you go for it considering you have the time, but if not, then let the professionals do their job.

Either way, if the quality of work is up to par, then you should have a very good investment on your hands and there will be no more need for waterproofing basement walls again.

Tags: , , ,