Do you have a wet basement when it rains? Basement waterproofing by FreeFlow Environmental can protect your home and keep you healthy.
Rainy days may be relaxing for someone who likes to unwind on the couch with a good book. But to someone with a leaky, wet basement, rainy days are stressful. If you find yourself checking the basement time after time throughout each rainy day, now is the time to consider basement waterproofing solutions and water damage repairs to keep your Northwest Indiana home healthy and free of moisture!
Wet Basements are Hazardous.
When it rains, water can enter your home through any weak points and cracks in the walls, floors, and windows. Not every Northwest Indiana home will have the same problem, which is why professionals may be needed to locate the exact source of the leak and determine the best solution to avoid a wet basement in the future.
There are many reasons that you want to avoid a wet basement. From being a health hazard to damaging the structure of your home, moisture in your basement can cause a lot of problems. Some of the main problems are described below.
The structure of your Northwest Indiana home may be compromised.
The weight of water creates something called hydrostatic pressure, which puts force on the materials that surround the water. Hydrostatic pressure can push on your foundation, causing your basement walls to bow and crack. Additionally, water can damage the wood that creates the structure for your home. These factors can contribute to a damaged foundation, which can cause shifting of the walls and doors throughout your home, as well as many other problems. Foundation problems can become very severe if left untreated.
Moisture facilitates mold, mildew, fungi, and other harmful substance growth.
When your basement gets wet, it doesn’t easily dry. This can be worsened by poor ventilation, inadequate draining, and continued exposure to moisture. Since it doesn’t dry easily, a wet basement encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Additionally, bacteria, fungi, and other harmful things grow more readily in damp environments. Because of this, wet basements can be very hazardous.
Your health can be affected by the growth of dangerous things in your wet basement.
As you read above, wet basements foster the growth of mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria. These can all be detrimental to your health by causing illness and allergies. With a damp basement, you’re inviting health hazards into your home to affect both you and your family.
Your belongings may be damaged.
In addition to being damaging to your health, wet basements can damage your belongings. The lingering moisture can get into your walls, floors, furniture, and anything else in your home. Also, the mold and mildew that grow in your wet basement can affect your belongings as well. Overall, there are many ways that a wet basement can be detrimental to you and your belongings.
The humidity in your house may become too high.
When your basement is wet, it can cause your entire house to become damp. The water in your basement can evaporate, increasing the humidity throughout your house. This can damage your home and belongings, and it can make it uncomfortable inside of your house.
Wet basements cause a lot of problems for homeowners in Northwest Indiana. From foundation damage to health hazards, moisture in your basement can be devastating. If you find yourself searching for water leaks every time it rains, now is the time to schedule professional basement waterproofing services so that you no longer have to worry about water damage in your Northwest Indiana home.
Professional Basement Waterproofing Protects Your Home
Because basements typically have poorer ventilation than other areas of your home, it can be very difficult to dry the damp spots. Though the best way to prevent damage is to keep water from ever entering your basement, sometimes you don’t know there is a leak until it’s too late. But once you notice a leak, it is best to immediately hire a professional to identify the source, repair the issue, and restore any damaged parts of your home.
Some of the methods of basement waterproofing include:
- Repairing any cracks located in the walls or floors. If the source of moisture in your wet basement is a crack in the walls, floors, or ceilings, these will need to be sealed to prevent further water entry. Cracks can be repaired with epoxy or other waterproof sealants.
- Sealing any spaces around windows. Gaps around your windows can let water into your home and basement. By sealing the areas around your window, you can block entryways for water.
- Installing drainage solutions. When water is a continuous problem in your basement, drainage systems may be the best solution. These systems can be installed both inside and outside of your home to either drain water from inside your home or direct water away from your home altogether. We will discuss more about home drainage systems later in this post, so keep reading to understand how these may benefit your Northwest Indiana home.
- Encapsulating the basement. Basement encapsulation adds a waterproof, mold-resistant liner to the inside of your basement. This keeps the water from entering the interior of your basement to prevent any harmful health conditions or damage to your property. More on basement encapsulation can be found later in this article.
Drainage Solutions Prevent Water Damage in Your Home
Both interior and exterior drainage systems can be used to protect your home from water damage. In general, interior drains are placed when water has already entered your home or will continue to, despite repairs. These systems allow water to drain from the inside of your home and be pumped away. On the other hand, exterior drains prevent water from entering your home by directing it away before it seeping in and causing a wet basement.
The installation of interior home drainage systems typically includes digging channels and placing a sump pump. The channels allow a place for water to collect and travel to the pump. Then, when the water collects, the sump pump pushes it through pipes, where it drains away from the foundation of your home. The main purpose of an interior drainage system is to remove the water that persistently enters your home, despite other measures to prevent leaking into your basement.
In contrast, exterior drainage systems are designed to move water away from your home before it can enter your basement. There are a few different methods of water drainage outside your home. For example, some exterior drainage systems include:
- French drains: This system contains a perforated pipe that spans the underground perimeter of your home. The water collects in the pipe and is relocated to prevent water buildup around your foundation.
- Footing drains: With this drainage system, the drain itself is covered with gravel. The water moved through this gravel and into the pipes. Then, the water is carried to a catch basin and subsequently pumped away from your home.
Interior and exterior home drainage systems can be effective in protecting your home from water damage. However, there are many other methods of basement waterproofing (such as encapsulation) that are also very useful.
Basement Encapsulation to Keep Your Home Dry
Basement encapsulation is another effective process that prevents a wet basement and water damage in your Northwest Indiana home. Through this process, a waterproof liner is installed along the inside of your foundation walls. The liner is not completely attached to the wall, creating a gap that allows any accumulating water to move into the installed drainage system, where it can then exit your basement.
Basement encapsulation prevents any water from entering the interior of your basement to preserve the safety and condition of your home. However, the water still enters through any weak or damaged spots in the floor and walls. Therefore, drainage systems are required to keep the moisture from building outside of the liner and damaging your walls and foundation.
Additionally, a dehumidifier is needed in an encapsulated basement because the temperature differences inside and outside your home can cause condensation to form. The outdoor water is kept out by the moisture barrier, but condensation can still form from the air within your home. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture to prevent condensation buildup in your encapsulated basement.
Overall, basement encapsulation can be effective in keeping water out. This process protects your home from mold growth and prevents damage to your belongings due to a wet basement. Basement encapsulation includes the installation of a waterproof liner, a drainage system, and a dehumidifier to ensure your home is completely protected from water damage.
Wet Basement? Bring in the Basement Waterproofing Professionals!
Don’t let your home sit with water in the basement. A damp basement brings a mess of problems, from mold buildup to foundation issues. There are many methods to fix your leaking basement, including repairs for any cracks in the wall or floor, basement encapsulation, drainage system installation, and more. Wet basements can be difficult to correct, so hiring a professional is the best way to ensure your home is effectively restored and protected from future water damage.
FreeFlow Environmental has every basement waterproofing solution to keep your home dry and healthy. From basement encapsulation and drainage systems to the repair of cracks in the walls and floor, we are trained and experienced in every solution your home will need. Basement waterproofing is the answer you need – and we have every service to get it done for you.
Contact FreeFlow now to repair your wet basement before the next rain comes and causes you anymore stress! We look forward to working with you to waterproof your basement!