Your basement is wet. It’s not just damp; it’s soaked. There are pools of water on the floor and the walls are dripping with moisture that has built up over time. You can’t get to your belongings because they’re too far away from where you stand, but you don’t know what to do next. Sound familiar?
Here are five basement waterproofing strategies you can use to prevent water from entering your basement.
1. Add Gutter Extensions
If your gutters are draining water less than five feet from your house, use plastic or metal gutter extensions to direct the water further out. This will prevent basement flooding. Just make sure to hire professionals for gutter installation if it’s complex or involves multiple stories. Gutter extensions are particularly important for homes in areas with heavy rains and storms, as they can help drain water away from your home. They are easy to install and can be done relatively quickly.
Extensions, on the other hand, aren’t the most attractive or practical long-term option, especially if you’re prone to tripping over them or running over them with a lawnmower. If you want a lasting solution, an underground drain pipe can transport enormous amounts of gutter runoff far away from your home. Even better, it’s invisible and won’t affect your house’s aesthetics.
2. Replace Cracked or Missing Foundation Plugs
Foundation plug cracks can be as small as a fingernail, but these tiny holes will let water seep through over time. While solutions like French drains and sump pumps are treatments for basement water leaks, this basement water damage is preventable. When you waterproof your basement correctly, it has the potential to be a one-time job that protects your basement for years to come.
3. Install a Curtain Drain System
Dripping basement walls are usually a sign that there is water on the basement floor. This can be caused by an overflowing sump pump, or it may be seeping in from the outside. Curtain drain systems can prevent water leakage into your basement by redirecting any moisture away from your basement foundation. If you aren’t interested in major renovations, this basement water damage is an affordable and efficient solution.
4. Plug Gaps Around the Foundation
Even if your basement is waterproofed, water can still seep in through basement floor cracks and basement wall cracks. You should seal any gaps around your foundation walls to ensure that you don’t have basement water damage problems. Basement foundation repair companies like 58 Foundations do this as part of their basement waterproofing services and may even include it as part of their guarantees.
5. Restore the Crowning Around the Foundation
The basement crowning is the highest point of your basement floor, and when it’s sloped away from your home, there’s a chance for water to seep in through basement walls. Crowning must always be sloped downwards towards a sump pump or French drain system. If you take care of basement water damage early, you can avoid unnecessary basement restoration costs.
6. Repair Footing Drains
If your basement floor isn’t properly sloped, any water that seeps into basement walls will be difficult to pump out. To prevent basement flooding, you should check to see if the footing drains around your basement support posts are working correctly. If they’re plugged, unplug them and replace them with new footing drains.
You no longer need to worry about basement water damage. These simple basement foundation repair methods are worth the time and money you spend on them because they can prevent basement water damage forever.
If all else fails, you should talk to the professionals at 58 Foundations for all your basement waterproofing needs.
