Basement Waterproofing

Why Basement Waterproofing Is Essential For Your Health and Home

When basements are neglected, they often start to smell musty and moist.  That’s usually because of the presence of mold and mildew.  Basements are the most common breeding ground for mold as it holds the perfect environment essential for its growth.  Mold poses a great risk to the human body.  Although we try to protect our health with various supplements and medication, we may not be aware that the greatest health risk is right in the comfort of our own homes.

Molds belong to the family of fungus, they grow in damp and dark areas where they thrive and multiply. There are several types of molds and some of them, particularly the Stachybotrys chartarum or the black mold can cause serious health problems especially to children, pregnant women, and to people who are naturally sensitive to molds.  If you are immuno-compromised or you’re taking medication that weakens your immune system, measures should be taken to prevent mold as it can cause serious lung diseases and central nervous system damage.

Basement waterproofing minimizes the growth of mold and mildew, but also protects your home from water damage from leaks and seepage of water.  Because basements get very little air flow, it allows bacteria to grow in damp areas.

Most people use the basement for storing unused clothing, books, paintings, and furniture.  Water leakage in the basement where unused things are commonly stored can also cause irreversible damage to your valuables.  Mold can also affect fabric and the only way to get rid of that mold on your fabric is to throw it away.

And there’s a bigger issue.  Water leakage in the basement may weaken the foundation of the house and may cause it to collapse, causing bigger damage to your property and endangering your family’s safety.  There are cases when the mold has made its way towards the upper areas of the house over time.

There are a number of types of waterproofing methods that you can choose.  The method you use will depend on the present problem that your basement has.  Sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways of waterproofing minor problems such as cracks and leaks.  For major problems such as excessive seepage of water that sealing cannot fix, professional help might be needed.

External basement waterproofing might be necessary, which includes installing footer pipes that divert the rain water to another channel.  External fortification can also be necessary if you find that water is leaking from the ground level.  This option may be best if you plan on using your basement as an extra bedroom.

Basement waterproofing is cost-effective and is an investment towards your health. Preventing possible mold infection before it happens is a better and wiser option than having to redo your whole basement (or house) altogether.  If you want to protect your family from mold, you should talk to a professional and consider your waterproofing options.