Should You Waterproof A Basement That Doesn't Flood?
Posted on: 7 November 2022
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Everyone wants a dry basement, but basement flooding isn't the only problem that can affect your home. Flooding often occurs following a significant change in local weather, such as a torrential downpour or heavy snowpack melt. While flooding is certainly a problem that requires immediate attention, it's not the only sign that your basement may have an issue.
In fact, it can be far more concerning when your basement develops moisture issues during normal rainfall or when moisture levels in your basement remain elevated all year round. If you're wondering whether waterproofing a moist basement is worthwhile even if it doesn't flood, check out these three reasons why it may be an excellent idea.
1. Mold Remediation is Costly
Basement waterproofing can be expensive, depending on your approach, but it's a one-time solution that will continue to benefit your home for many years. On the other hand, mold remediation can potentially cost thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, a damp basement is also dark and cool, creating the perfect environment for mold growth.
Once your basement develops mold, it can return as long as the moisture remains, forcing you to spend money on repeated remediations. Waterproofing a damp basement offers a more permanent solution, helping to ensure that you'll remove one of the critical ingredients necessary for mold to grow in your basement and spread elsewhere in your home.
2. Moisture Can Be an Early Warning Sign
Concrete is a porous material, meaning moisture can enter your basement through your foundation walls and floors. However, most basements should remain relatively dry. When you notice elevated moisture levels in your basement, it's an indication that an excessive amount of moisture is entering the space.
There may be many reasons why this can occur, but it can be an early warning sign that your basement may be vulnerable to flooding if the soil conditions around it change. Instead of ignoring the problem, waterproofing your basement can help you address the issue now, before a severe storm or prolonged rainy season results in a costly flood.
3. You'll Recover Some Storage Space
One of the worst parts about a damp basement is that it makes an incredibly poor storage area. Most people like to use their basements as extra storage, but high moisture content means anything you store will be vulnerable to mold or water damage. While dehumidifiers can help, continuously running one can be expensive and may not thoroughly solve the problem.
Waterproofing your basement allows you to be confident that the space will remain dry, allowing you to reclaim that area for storage and free up space elsewhere in your home.
Contact a company like J.A. Kilby Enterprises Inc to learn more.