While basement waterproofing is a huge hassle for most people, there are some very good reasons to get basement waterproofing before winter. If your home hasn’t had basement waterproofing, each year that passes increases the chances of experiencing basement leaks or flooding. Let’s take a closer look at why that is.
Basement Wall Erosion
Whether your basement is finished or unfinished, if your basement walls are made of stone, brick, or cement, they’re at risk of exterior erosion. Basement wall erosion is caused by ground water and moisture constantly moving against the stone. The same way a river can create a canyon, the water in the ground around your home can wear away at your basement walls.
This erosion is especially bad in areas with high rain and snowfall. As water soaks into the soil around your home, there’s a limit to how much water the soil can hold. When it hits that limit, the water will just sit there. Until enough of the deeper ground water can flow away or rise up and evaporate, the water will rest against your basement walls.
Basement Leaking
After some time, basement wall erosion will lead to basement leaking. This is especially common with basement walls made of some type of brick. The water from the surrounding soil will find a pathway through the wall. Even if the pathway is narrow and only allows a few drips of water through in a day, they’ll add up. Plus, each drip that successfully makes it into your basement has widened the path for the next drip.
An unfinished basement will end up with moist walls. The moisture will run down the walls, leading to floor dampness. The constant moisture means a great environment for mold growth and an attractive place for pests to stop for a bit of water.
In a finished basement, the other side of the wall is likely to be covered in insulation and drywall. Where does the water go? Simple: it soaks into the insulation, which is cloaked in darkness, and begins to grow mold. The extensive damage mold growth can do when spread behind basement walls is devastating.
Basement Flooding
When basement leaking is left unchecked for a long period of time, you can end up with basement flooding. What seems like a manageable amount of moisture can quickly turn into flooding with a heavy rain and increased ground water. We don’t have to tell you how expensive this can be to repair.
Get Basement Waterproofing Before Winter
The solution to this is getting basement waterproofing before winter. Winter is one of the worst seasons for basement walls because of the freezing temperature. Water within the basement walls will freeze and expand, damaging the walls further. Then, when the snow begins to melt, your basement is the next destination for all of the snow melt.
When you get exterior basement waterproofing before winter, you prevent additional damage from occurring and keep water from even touching your basement walls. Give us a call if you have questions about the waterproofing process or would like to schedule a consultation.
