It’s tempting to want to repair your basement for cheap. However, waterproofing your basement is no simple task, and if you have limited experience, it’s easy for DIY jobs to get out of hand. For this reason, we want to identify four risks of waterproofing your basement yourself.
Flooding from A Neglected Window Well
Your window well is an essential part of your basement; it collects water and lets light into your basement. If you improperly install a window well, this prevents you from clearing debris from it. Then, it’ll retain water, and you’ll may also notice pools of water around your basement’s windows. A window well is the perfect entryway for water, but without proper care, it only contributes to flooding.
Health Issues
If you don’t properly waterproof your basement, water can still make its way into your home and sit there. Let’s say that you think the moisture is coming from a particular area when it’s actually coming from elsewhere. This will lead to moisture and musty smells. The moisture results in mold and mildew, which trigger allergies and even more serious illnesses. To avoid putting your health and safety at risk, leave it to the professionals.
Poorly Installed Foundation Drain Tile Systems
A drain tile system includes a pipe and a gravel covering, and this system gathers water from around your foundation and pumps it away from your home. Flooding through the cove joint (or where the foundation walls and footings meet) is common, since you cannot waterproof this area. That’s where the interior and exterior drain tile systems come in, as they prevent leaks. However, poor installation won’t keep your basement dry—water will still come through this area. In fact, a 1/8 inch crack in a pipe can spill 250 gallons of water in a day. No doubt, this standing water is sure to cause more issues down the road.
Wall Cracks
Once you see cracks, you should seal them immediately. But unfortunately, store-bought sealants can claim that they’re strong, but they’re not a permanent solution. Caulk will simply mask the problem. If you don’t properly seal cracks, they won’t keep water out; you’ll still experience humidity and small leaks.
As you can see, waterproofing your basement yourself can cost you—you can injure yourself and even further damage your home. To ensure you’re not performing DIY repairs the wrong way, reach out to a local basement waterproofingcompany. When it comes to maintaining a leak-free basement, you never want to cut corners. Do your research and put your money toward a safe, effective solution for your home!
