The basement is one of the most common rooms in the home affected by water damage. Oftentimes, improperly waterproofed yards cause groundwater to infiltrate the home and damage the home's basement. Water damage can cause harmful materials such as mold and mildew to grow, and inhaling these organisms can harm you, your family, or anyone else who comes into contact with the mildew and mold.
The best way to waterproof a basement is to install a French drain. If you recall from one of our previous blog posts, French drains operate in the same way as foundation drains, but they can be installed anywhere on a piece of property as opposed to just the foundation of a home. Water will always flow downhill, and a French drain collects that downwards flowing water and redirects it through a pipe into a small gravel trench flowing away from your home, effectively mitigating the risk of water damage to your foundation. A waterproofed basement allows for many opportunities, including:
Increase the resale value of your home. Selling a home can be next to impossible when the basement is dark, wet, and filled with mold and mildew. With a durable, waterproofed basement, your home will test the sands of time.
Add more livable space to your home. Once you waterproof your basement, you'll be free to do with it what you wish. You can finally finish your basement and add a den, game room, or any other type of room. Extra living space in your home will also raise the resale value of your home, and if you're not looking to sell any time soon, you'll be able to enjoy the extra yourself.
Make your home safer for its inhabitants. A properly waterproofed basement is extremely unlikely to be affected by mold or mildew, which can cause a variety of health effects.
The sooner you waterproof your basement, the happier and more comfortable you'll be. If you have any questions about what the process of waterproofing a basement entails, don't hesitate to give NV Waterproofing a call. We're here for you.
