Nearly every house will suffer some kind of water damage at some point throughout the typical lifetime of a homeowner. Consequently, this issue will almost certainly manifest in your basement! Basement waterproofing services can help you avoid costly repairs caused by floods and other forms of water infiltration.
When you attempt to handle everything on your own, though, you run the risk of making a few blunders. Far too many homeowners make the following five mistakes when fixing a leak in their basement.
1. Acting Hastily to Drain Flooded Basements
This is where effective waterproofing solutions come in. These methods not only help prevent flooding from occurring in the first place but also support safe and gradual water removal that avoids putting unnecessary pressure on your foundation. Investing in the right waterproofing strategy now can spare you from expensive structural repairs down the line.
Beyond careful drainage, preventing basement flooding in the first place is the best way to avoid costly repairs. Installing a sump pump, ensuring proper yard grading, and maintaining gutters and downspouts can help direct water away from your home. Sealing foundation cracks and waterproofing basement walls add extra layers of protection, reducing the risk of future water damage.
Your number one priority, if your basement has been flooded, is undoubtedly extracting the water. Rapidly draining the basement might put too much strain on the now-empty space due to the residual water in the soil around the house.
While this is natural, quickly draining the water away could have harsher consequences than usual. To stay ahead of this issue, ensure your basement has a system to drain flood water. Basement repair could cost you a pretty penny if you don’t.
2. Using Paint Alone as a Waterproofing Material
It is important to know why this type of paint is required to waterproof your basement before we begin pounding it into your walls. There are other components that need to be utilized in addition to waterproofing paint for an effective waterproofing job. Many people make the mistake of relying solely on specialist paints when it comes to waterproofing.
If you use waterproofing paint as a quick fix without addressing the root cause, for instance, you risk creating bubbling and cracking. The paint starts to flake off, leaving the wall vulnerable to water. Hiring a professional is the best action if you are struggling with water damage. Applying waterproofing paint to the basement walls is a nice touch after getting to the source of the problem.
3. Ignoring the Foundation’s Soil
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of foundation issues early on—such as wall cracks, sticking doors, or sloping floors—can help prevent costly repairs down the line. Paying attention to how the soil behaves around your home is a crucial first step in identifying these red flags.
Failing to evaluate this properly can lead to uneven structural movement and long-term damage. Homeowners should be aware of the signs of differential settlement, such as cracks in walls, uneven floors, or doors and windows that no longer close properly. These indicators often point to soil inconsistencies that, if ignored, can compromise the entire integrity of the foundation.
Expanding and contracting soil can create pressure on the foundation, leading to cracks and other forms of damage. A structural foundation evaluation can help determine if soil shifts are affecting your home and if additional stabilization measures are necessary. Taking proactive steps now can prevent costly repairs in the future.
Failing to evaluate this properly can lead to uneven structural movement and long-term damage. Homeowners should be aware of the signs of differential settlement, such as cracks in walls, uneven floors, or doors and windows that no longer close properly. These indicators often point to soil inconsistencies that, if ignored, can compromise the entire integrity of the foundation.
One of the most common problems with homeowners making waterproofing blunders is not checking the soil around their foundation. When the ground around your home is porous, water can seep into your structure and quickly flood your basement. Making sure the ground around your house slopes away from it can solve this problem. Fill up any depressions surrounding the foundation to prevent water from penetrating too deeply into the soil.
Before you take any additional action to waterproof your property, make sure you check the soil around the foundation. If you follow a few simple steps, water can be more easily kept out of your basement.
4. Not Giving the Basement Enough Time to Dry
After you’ve drained the basement, you’re probably eager to waterproof it. Ultimately, you would like to avoid handling this issue in the future! Your top priority should be making sure the entire basement is dry before moving on. The next step is to check the room for any other signs of water damage.
Failure to properly let the basement dry out can damage your home’s foundations and even cause the building to fall in the future! So, before calling a basement waterproofing specialist like the one from Basement Masters Waterproofing, ensure the basement is completely dry or as dry as possible. They will assess the area, inform you when it is safe to start waterproofing, and provide you with the best option for your specific needs.
5. Utilizing Paint Compulsorily
It is not a terrible idea to use paint to shield the basement’s walls from harm. You can waterproof your basement in an affordable and easy-to-apply approach. You may apply waterproof paint straight to the walls, and it will keep water out. It acts as a vapor barrier, and paintings made of oil wouldn’t let water through either.
Even though you can find cheaper paint, you still need to be sure it meets all the necessary criteria. If you think using low-quality paint will waterproof your basement, you could be surprised by how many difficulties you encounter. Due to the painted nature, it may shed after a few years, necessitating a redo. Despite that, paint can be a good starting point for protecting yourself from damage.
Waterproof paint comes in a variety of varieties. A few examples are these:
1. Paint made of epoxy
This long-lasting and water-resistant paint is ideal for basements and garages. Because the paint sets so rapidly upon contact with a surface, it is often combined with epoxy, a plastic resin widely utilized in construction materials. Standard, inexpensive epoxy paints are readily accessible for household usage, even though higher quality comes at a higher price.
2. Elasticized Paint Made of Acrolein
Because it can retain moisture, this paint is ideal for areas where mildew, bacteria, and molds are a problem. Because of its toxicity and potential to irritate the respiratory tract, skin, and lungs, the chemical is typically combined with acrylic paint.
3. Paint for Masonry
Its primary function is to adhere to various hard exterior surfaces, such as concrete, brick, and others. A ceramic substance waterproofed with latex makes it easy to clean with soap and water since it prevents various types of liquid from penetrating.
While painting your basement is easy and inexpensive to seal any cracks or leaks, it’s not recommended if the floors or walls have small holes. Although it may not cure broken exteriors, it is useful for avoiding several issues. It might be a great approach to maximize the prevention of future damages when combined with other waterproofing strategies.
In the end!
Although it may take some time, waterproofing your basement is a worthwhile investment. Ensure you employ the right strategies and don’t make any blunders by gathering more information. To avoid issues with the walls and concrete in the future, it’s a good idea to avoid buying cheap, low-quality paint if you plan on utilizing paint. Ultimately, picking the right one is crucial to keep your basement free of mold, bacteria, and other unwanted organisms.
