Avoiding Water Damage and Costly Repairs with Basement Waterproofing

The Advantages of Basement Waterproofing

Many homeowners today have experienced the nightmare of costly repairs resulting from water damage, especially if they have had a damp or wet basement. Where basements and home foundations are concerned, water is their worst enemy as extensive damage can result if the problem is not corrected. Hiring professional basement waterproofing contractors can easily remedy the situation and provide you with quality solutions to the problem. It will help you to avoid costly repairs in the future and even add to the value of your home.

Chances are, if you have recently discovered any cracks in your basement floor or walls, you are at a much greater risk of experiencing water damage and should consider contacting a basement waterproofing contractor for an inspection and quote. Unfortunately, you will quickly discover that there is an abundance of waterproofing services to choose from which in turn will make it difficult for you to decide on the right one to select. Naturally, there will be those contractors who will do their best to convince you that their service is the best.

Start by investigating the source of the problem. Once you notice that your basement smells damp, there may already be a problem that needs to be corrected immediately. Additionally, if you see water accumulating in certain areas, you need to locate the source of the problem by either inspecting the situation yourself or having a professional come out and do it for you. Granted, you may have to pay for that inspection. However, if the source of the problem is found and a solution is provided, it could save you money in the long run.

Water can find its way into your basement in a number of different ways including clogged rain gutters and downspouts or an ineffective drainage system. The purpose of these is to divert water as far away from you home as possible. So if they are not doing this, you are eventually going to have problems. Check to see whether or not the soil around your home is sloped away from the structure or towards it.

Roof drainage is obviously another critical consideration as rain gutters and downspouts can be cluttered with debris and hinder the flow of water off the roof and away from your home. This could also lead to water damage. You should also make sure that your basement windows are above ground level and that there are no potential water pockets near them. Be sure to check if the frames and seals around each window is watertight. Again, if the ground near the windows is sloped towards the windows, correct the issue immediately.

The next thing you should do is to get several bids or estimates from different contractors regarding the cost of waterproofing your basement.

Hiring a basement waterproofing contractor is oftentimes a sizable investment, so you want to find the best service for your money. Minor repairs may cost between $300 and $500 but more complex ones could cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the area where the damage is located and the extent of it.

Where basement waterproofing is concerned, there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works for every situation. That is why it is important to compare the services of several contractors before having the work done.

You also need to ensure that you are not going to be paying for a costly system that doesn’t address your particular situation.

The construction of your home is also an important issue to be concerned with as no two homes and their foundations are ever alike, even when they have similar floor plans.