October 23, 2017
The Benefits of Waterproofing Your Basement
Whether your basement serves as a living quarters, game room, or storage space, keeping it protected from unwanted damage is important to preserving its current function and safeguarding your building as a whole. As underground rooms, basements are at a much larger risk of sustaining water damage from moisture in the soil and precipitation collecting near your foundation. A water damaged basement is not only unsightly and unpleasant to live in --- it's also a health concern and an energy-sink. By properly waterproofing your basement, you will be increasing the overall value and comfort of your home, as well as reducing energy costs and protecting those under your roof. In this article, our waterproofing professionals at Everydry Waterproofing have compiled a list of the many benefits of waterproofing your basement. For more information, contact our New York professionals at (585) 247-7692 today!
Safeguarding Your Structure
Whether you are a homeowner or business owner, your building is likely your largest investment. As such, it should be protected from hazardous and costly damages. When water finds its way into your basement, it can seep into other parts of your home and begin to wear down your foundation, walls, flooring, and other structural features. If left unaddressed, water damage of this nature can lead to thousands of dollars in damages and pose a huge safety risk for those on your property. By waterproofing your basement, you will not only be protecting your subterranean assets, but the large portion of your building above ground as well.
Preventing Damage to Your Belongings
If you have a basement, you likely make use of it. Whether it's your family room, game room, man cave, or storage space, your basement most likely serves an important purpose in your home or business. It's also probably home to a considerable number of your belongings. Should your basement sustain any level of water damage, your belongings will almost surely follow suit. Water can wreak havoc on items such as books, photos albums, stored clothing, electronics, and even furniture. Keeping your basement properly waterproofed will also keep items in your basement protected from irreversible water damage.
Reducing Energy Costs
Many of our clients are surprised when we tell them that waterproofing their basements will save them money in the long run. The reason behind this little-known fact lies in the structure of the basement, not the water itself. A basement that's susceptible to water damage is also susceptible to unwanted airflow, which means both lost temperature-controlled air and increased moisture in your home. These factors lead to increased work done by your home heating and air conditioning systems, which in turn leads to higher energy costs. By waterproofing your basement, you will be making an investment that will pay for itself year after year in the form of reduced energy costs.
Protecting Your Health
Cool, damp, and enclosed, a water-damaged basement is the ideal breeding ground for a number of unwanted toxic molds. If left to grow and spread, these molds can enter the airspace in the rest of your home or business and cause a number of unwanted health-related symptoms, including headaches, respiratory issues, itchiness of the eyes, nose, and throat, congestion and runny nose, sneezing, and other irritation. For those with severe allergies to mold, a mold-infested building can cause serious health problems and can necessitate temporary relocation while the problem is dealt with. While a small patch of mold may not seem like much, it can be symptomatic or larger hidden infestation, or a bigger one yet to come. Mold species such as black mold can grow to maturation in a little as 24 to 48 hours. To prevent a mold infestation from beginning in your basement and eventually affecting those on your property, take preventative action by having your basement professionally waterproofed.
Restoring Your Peace of Mind
A basement that's susceptible to water damage is also a source for headache for a property owner. Weekly leak-checks, discreet cover-ups when company comes over, and extra toweling and hand-wringing during storms are all stresses that those with at-risk basements must deal with --- not to mention the health concerns and unwanted costs that come with a leaky basement. With a professionally-waterproofed basement, you get the peace of mind that your subterranean space is safe from water year-around, rain or shine.