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Why Your Basement Should Be The First Place You Waterproof In Your Home

Waterproofing is a very essential part of any home's protection against rot and mildew, as well as mold, but it is often thought of as primarily an issue for bathrooms, kitchens, and perhaps your laundry as well. What many people forget, is that the basement of their home absolutely needs to be waterproofed as well. Basement waterproofing is so vital, in fact, that it should be the first place you waterproof during the construction process of your home. Here are a few reasons that illustrate why this is so vital and why you should be prioritizing what seems like such a random area of your home.

Moist Environment

Due to the fact your basement is below ground level, it can become very moist very quickly. The simple fact is the earth around is filled with moisture, and this can get dragged into your home over time. This is particularly true if you have any kind of masonry, like bricks, which are well known for being a sponge for water in the surrounding earth. Basement waterproofing is vital for keeping this moisture level at bay so that it does not lead to a growth or outbreak of mold in the lowest part of your home which could then spread north.

Funnel For Water In Your Home

Whether intentional or not, all water leakages in your home will likely eventually make their way down to the basement due to the laws of gravity. Sometimes this is water running off your roof after a heavy rainstorm, other times it is a little splash or couple of ounces that you might spill when you drop a cup or bottle. Whatever it is, it will travel down and eventually settle in your basement. Then, because so few people seriously investigate their basement that often, these tiny amounts of moisture can become bigger issues that begin affecting other parts of your home.

Potential Risk Of Structural Damage

Even if you are lucky enough that the water that makes its way into your basement actually does make it down to the concrete foundation slab, you could be inadvertently creating a major structural issue. Concrete is porous, so water will go through it, and then it will find its way in the earth right under your foundations. After a while, with enough water, the mud can become quite compressed and shift, leading to pockets of space under your concrete. This creates additional structural pressure on the concrete which will lead to cracks and potentially far more serious consequences. 

For more information on basement waterproofing, contact a professional near you.

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Your Ally In Construction

Having construction work done on your home or property is not always easy. Even though someone else is doing the labor, you have a lot of decisions to make. The more you know about construction work and contractors, the easier time you'll have making those decisions. You may still want to do a little research, but it can be a quick read instead of a deep dive. So, how do you become someone who knows a lot about construction work? Well, you can start by reading on this blog. Then, you can venture out and read some other sources. Before long, you'll know more than we do, simplifying the process of hiring a contractor.

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