Benefits of Waterproofing Your Basement

Generally when people think about home improvement, waterproofing the basement is not typically the first thing that comes to mind. It isn’t the most glamorous of jobs but the benefits of doing it are profound. One of the most common forms of damage to a property is water damage which can be caused by rain, burst pipes, plumbing leaks, and more. Flooding in the basement can lead to a whole range of issues, such as structural damage which is no joke. It has been estimated that around 98% of basements have experienced some degree of water damage. In view of this, be sure to contact Nusite Group waterproofing specialists for your basement.

With that in mind, here are 6 of the main benefits that come with waterproofing your basement.

1. Increase The Space And Value of Your Home

If you waterproof your basement this will increase the square footage of liveable floor space in the home. Basements have the potential to be a whole other floor in your house and instead of using it for storage boxes that are just gathering dust, you could turn this space into something useful. For example, you could turn it into a spare bedroom, a cinema room, a gym, a bathroom, the possibilities are endless. By waterproofing your basement you can make the most of what was once wasted space. Not only do you get to enjoy the extra space but it will also significantly increase the value of your home. So if you do decide one day that you want to sell your house, you have a big advantage as your home will not only be more secure, but it will also be more practical and unique in comparison to other houses in your neighborhood. As a result, you can sell your home at a higher price and make back the money you spent on waterproofing the basement.

2. Reduction in Cost of Insurance Claims

Roughly one-fifth of insurance claims made by homeowners are due to water damage. Excess water in the basement can lead to structural damage and weaken the foundations of your home. If you take the time to waterproof your basement this can help you avoid having to spend hefty sums on associated insurance claims.

3. It Will Reduce Your Energy Costs

Yes, you read that right, waterproofing your basement can help you to save money on energy costs. Waterproofing your basement involves sealing up old cracks and this prevents the cold air from seeping into your home so your HVAC system does not have to work as hard to keep the house warm. Alternatively, when the summer months come this can leave the air in your home being quite humid and this makes your HVAC system have to work harder to keep the home cool. Humidity can mess up the efficiency of your air conditioning and according to the US Department of Energy, this can increase your energy costs by as much as 10 to 15%. You might think that waterproofing your basement is an expensive job, but there are options out there, such as oriolebw.com who specialize in affordable basement waterproofing. Consider it an investment, as in the long run, you will end up saving more money by reducing your bills and increasing the value of your home.

4. Help To Avoid Long Term Health Risks

Excess water and humidity in your basement can increase the appearance of mold in your home. Mold is not something to be taken lightly as it can not only damage your home but also can cause negative health implications. For instance, it can worsen allergies, breathing issues and in more severe cases it can trigger respiratory conditions. If you or someone in your home suffers from Asthma, the presence of black mold can worsen their condition. It takes as little as 24 to 48 hours for toxic black mold to grow, so imagine how extensively it can spread if a basement has any degree of seepage. Continued exposure to black mold over an extended period of time can be very dangerous. Waterproofing your basement stops moisture from being trapped in your home which will prevent mold from growing.

5. Prevent Basement Flooding

If your basement floods this can be really difficult to drain, however, installing a sump pump and a drainage system as part of waterproofing your basement will prove highly effective in preventing any basement flooding. For those who are unfamiliar with the term sump pump, it is a constructed pit, typically a hole dug into the basement floor. This pit holds the sump pump, which disposes of the excess liquid it collects. They can either run continuously or be activated automatically when it detects the water level rising.

It is important to note that even if you have waterproofed your basement, no home is 100% safe from flooding or other extreme circumstances. However, your home stands a much better chance of coming out with minimal damage if you have waterproofed your basement compared to if you have not.

6. Protect The Foundations Of Your Home

This point is one of the more important ones as waterproofing your basement can prevent serious structural damage. Water seepage, even the slightest of leaks, over time will build up and affect the joints where the floor and wall meet. This can cause cracks in the foundations which could eventually threaten the entire structural security of your home. The problem with this kind of damage is that it tends to happen over time without you realizing it until it is too late.  Why wait for this to eventually happen when you can prevent this? Effective waterproofing will protect the foundations as water will not be able to seep into the joints and edges of the structure.

As you can see, there is a multitude of reasons as to why you should waterproof your basement. The benefits not only include financial benefits, but also significant health implications too. While it might seem like a long job at the start, it won’t be nearly as long of a job if your foundations begin to fall through. Take the initiative today to waterproof your basement and save yourself from potential problems down the line.