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Waterproofing your basement
by: Steven Stone
Finding standing water in your basement can be devastating.
It can ruin valued possessions, cause fungus and mildew,
allow termites and rodents into your home through foundation
cracks, and cause electrical problems. If not corrected,
mold, mildew and bacteria can pose serious health problems
for your family, and your property value could deteriorate.
Further damage can be caused to paint, wall coverings,
flooring materials and more.
The source of the water is important to determine. If
serious structural damage has occurred from collapsed walls,
support failure, or serious structural cracks, it is
definitely time to call in the experts. If you only have a
small amount of moisture, make sure the real problem isn't
condensation. Leave a piece of aluminum foil on the wall for
one week, then see which side is wet to determine if the
problem is condensation or seepage. If the problem is
condensation, a dehumidifier should help. A relatively small
seepage problem, such as a hole in the wall, may be fairly
easy to fix yourself using mortar. Once the problem is
resolved, you will want to waterproof your basement to keep
water out in the future.
There are many companies which specialize in basement
waterproofing, and you may decide to simply hire one
in your area. If you plan to do the waterproofing
yourself, start by making sure the walls are prepared.
Brush away loose mortar or broken block or rock. Remove
all surface contaminants, including grease, dirt, and
dust. Use a wire brush or sandblast any old paint.
Next, use quick dry cement to fill any holes or cracks.
Purchase a quality water-proofing coating, and follow the
manufacturer's instructions. Pay attention to the
spread-rate specified by the manufacturer. Moisture seepage
will continue if the coating is applied too thin. If you
have an excessive amount of water coming into your basement,
you may want to apply a second coat. Work the coating into
the masonry pores as you go.
Try to purchase a product that uses the word "waterproof
coating", rather than "water repellent". Waterproof coating
products are better at preventing water seepage under
hydrostatic pressure, and are usually formulated for above
and/or below grade, and for interior and/or exterior
applications. Hydrostatic pressure can be caused by faulty
gutter systems, rain runoff, a high water table, and
wind-driven rain.
Spending the time or money it takes for waterproofing your
basement can greatly help in preventing agonizing problems
later from loss of property and potential health hazards.
For more information and articles on home improvement see Home Improvement Articles From National Realtors Directory or for other real property information and articles see National Realtors Directory.
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