Waterproofing Basements Alert

One of the most common questions many homeowners have in regards to their basements is, "why is there a need for protecting a basement against water leakage even if I rarely go down there or use it?" That's a good question and this article will explain why waterproofing basements is important regardless of how often you use your basement.

Water pressure on basement walls, and basement leaks can damage your basement and foundation to the point of a wall collapse. It is a very serious issue. When you have a basement wall that collapses in on your home you will be looking at tens of thousands of dollars to repair the problem. To keep water away from your home's foundation, proper drainage should be installed. To avoid severe problems in the future below is a list of things to check and to remember for waterproofing basements.

Keep an eye on your home's rain gutters and ground drainage. The rain gutters should be located against the house and the drainage should be leading the water to 6-10 feet away from the house. If there are blockages in the long run, no need to worry, dig a hole and make a simple drainage. It will enable the water to spill over. This alone can have a dramatic effect on keeping water out of your basement.

Another suggestion would have to be having a simple dry well. Make a hole between 2 to 5 feet deep and layer it with landscaping fabric, then pour gravel with simple drainage ditches leading into. It can easily handle the water runoff and your basement will be waterproof.

Lastly, some homeowners find that digging a trench along side of the house and filling it with gravel can keep surface water from puddling against the foundation. This may work in some situations, but not in all cases. It really depends on your grade or slope of your yard.

This is only a couple of ways to avoid getting water in the basement and causing damage. Waterproofing basements is not something to overlook and take care of "next year". By addressing the issue now, you can be assured of not having to deal with expensive problems down the road.