Basements are a great thing. They offer lots of storage space or even the perfect area for an entertainment room. However, basements can also be susceptible to something not so pleasing: leaking and excess moisture. To avoid potential structure damage and very expensive repairs, we’ve provided some things below that you can easily do yourself to help waterproof your basement. Call a professional contractor or sturctural engineer if you would like more advice or want to hire someone to help you.
What you need:
- Gutters and downspouts
- Shovel for your landscaping
- Rocks or gravel
- Insulation for your pipes ? Exhaust fan
- Dehumidifier ? Water-resistant primer and paint
What you need to do:
Install gutters and downspouts. Your home needs a solid system for collecting water. If you don’t already have them, install downspouts so that they route water at least 5 to 6 feet away from the house.
Flow water away from your home. It could be your own landscaping that’s causing excess water accumulation around the foundation of your home. The ground around your home needs to slope away from the foundation such that it doesn’t push water toward the home or form standing water near the foundation.
Place rocks or gravel around your basement. Rocks and gravel absorb water and dry quickly. This is a great formula to battle excess water accumulation. Place some rocks or gravel around the outside of your basement for an effective, cost-effective solution.
Insulate all pipes carrying water. Insulating your water pipes eliminates the condensation that forms on the outsides of the pipes. While you’re at it, make sure there are no cracks or leaks in the pipes themselves.
Install an exhaust fan in your basement bathroom. Exhaust fans are great for removing moisture from your basement bathrooms, which are significant contributors to humidity levels. Exhaust fans are inexpensive and easy to install.
Place dehumidifiers throughout your basement. It may take one. It may take several. But dehumidifiers are extremely useful in terms of removing the excess moisture from any living space.
Use water-resistant primer and paint on your basement walls. A high-quality, water-resistant primer and paint will do wonders in terms of repelling moisture from penetrating your basement walls. Consult a professional painting contractor to advise you on what primers and paints are best for your home.
For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit Team Dave Logan to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!
