The Dos and Don’ts of Waterproofing Your Basement

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Whether your basement is finished or unfinished, living space or storage space, it is an integral piece of your home’s foundation. For that reason, it can be disconcerting when your basement floods.

If you’ve recently found yourself with a flooded basement, you’re probably asking yourself, “How can I make sure this never happens again?”

We’re here to share with you the dos and don’ts of waterproofing your basement. Contact our team at SERVPRO of East York if you have any questions or want to inquire about our water damage restoration services.

DO Regularly Clean Your Gutters

Your gutters aren’t in your basement, but their main purpose is to keep rainwater away from your basement. If they’re clogged up, they’ll overflow, sending water directly down into your basement instead of siphoning water away from your home’s foundation.

Remember, clogged gutters can happen any time of year. Yes, fallen leaves are the main culprit in autumn, but moss and weeds can gum up the works in other seasons as well.

DO Fix Your Downspout

The downspout is the vertical pipe that moves water out of your gutters and away from your home. If your downspouts are broken and leaking—or simply facing the wrong direction—they may be sending water straight into the ground at the foundation of your home.

You want the water to be carried away from your foundation, so be sure the downspouts are working properly.

DO Check for Cracks

Cracks in the foundation of your basement are among the most common sources of water damage. For waterproofing your basement, you’ll want to identify these cracks and have them sealed up as soon as possible. Water can easily enter your home through cracks in the foundation walls. 

DO Look for the Source of Leaks

Cracks aren’t the only source for leaks in your basement. If you realize water is indeed getting past your basement’s best defenses, take some time to find the source of the leaks.

If you’re having problems finding the source, an experienced water damage restoration and repair team can lend a hand. They’ll be able to identify the source of leaks and create a plan to seal it up.

DON’T Ignore Damp Spots

Is there an area of your basement that always seems damp? You shouldn’t ignore these waterlogged sections of your basement. They’re often signs of leaks and cracks in your foundation.

Trace any damp spots you find back to their source, so you can fix the leak or crack.

DON’T Neglect Cleaning After a Flood

A flooded basement is likely to be a mess. You may be tempted to ignore it, but don’t. If water is allowed to sit, it can lead to the rapid buildup of mold (which often starts in the first 24 hours).

Aside from the health risks and structural problems mold poses, it will also impede your efforts to waterproof your basement once the floodwaters have subsided. So, be proactive. Have your basement cleaned out by water damage restoration and repair specialists.

Waterproofing Starts With Water Damage Repair

If a flooded basement has alerted you to the importance of waterproofing your basement, know that you’re not alone. Our experts at SERVPRO of East York are here to serve homeowners like you.

Give us a call for fast 24-hour service after a flood. We can help you assess the damage, remove the water, dry and dehumidify the basement, and restore it to a structurally sound condition. If you need help waterproofing your home and basement, give our team a call today!