24 Oct Benefits of Waterproofing a Basement

If your house has a basement, it’s highly likely that you’ve had to deal with some type of water damage, especially if you’re living in an area where when it rains it floods. Water damage can show up as leaks, water stains, hairline cracks, musty odors, and/or mold growth. These signs may also point to other serious problems like foundation issues.

The most common source of water damage in the country is floods. In fact, flooding causes 90% of disaster damage every year in the U.S., according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The sad part is that around 33% of the National Flood Insurance Program’s claims come from people living outside of areas with high risks of flooding.

Floods can cause around $25,000 of damage to a property, according to FEMA. So, it’s vital to protect yourself from flood damage.

The most recommended thing you can do to protect yourself from flood damage is to get flood insurance. In addition, waterproofing your basement is one of the smartest moves you can make to keep costly water damages and repair at bay. In addition, basement waterproofing also helps keep you and your family safe from possible structural problems caused by water damage.

Prevents Flooding

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines a basement as “any area of a building with a floor that is below ground level on all sides.” Even rooms that are not fully below ground level but are the lowest floor may still be considered as basements. This includes lower levels of split-level buildings, sunken living rooms, and crawl spaces.

Because of its location—underground—basements are prone to flooding. If you have furniture, appliances, knick-knacks or memorabilia, valuables, and other belongings down there, flood water will ruin them. Flooded basements become unsanitary spaces and thus, unusable.

As such, waterproofing your basement is essential when you live in an area that’s prone to flooding. But, even in low- to moderate-risk locations, basement waterproofing can still be an effective way to keep your basement and its contents dry. It limits your risk of water-related damages that can be a headache to deal with.

Waterproofing keeps your basement safe from minor humidity, leaks, standing water, and excess moisture and dampness that might result not only from flooding but also from other sources, such as broken pipes and plumbing leaks. Basement waterproofing is an investment that guarantees to keep your home dry.

Averts Structural Damage

If your basement doesn’t have waterproofing, water from the surrounding earth can exert pressure on the wall. This hydrostatic pressure can result in the formation of hairline cracks in the wall, floor, ceiling, and foundation. Although miniscule, these cracks can threaten your entire home’s structural integrity, especially since the basement often serves as your house’s foundation or is connected to it.

However, the signs of structural damage can be hard to notice or go undetected in their initial stages. In other words, if you have a basement that isn’t waterproofed, structural damage may catch you by surprise.

Basement waterproofing acts as a barrier between your basement and the earth sitting just outside it. Because water can’t penetrate the concrete walls, waterproofing also strengthens your basement’s foundation.

Reduces Energy Bills & Enhances Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Moisture in the basement comes from three sources. First, some water can seep into the space from ground water or from rain water. Second, moisture can also come from inside your house from humidifiers, showering, and cooking. If your house is newly constructed, some of that moisture might be coming from the new concrete. Third, moisture could be the result of the condensation of warm and humid air from the outside, especially if you open the basement windows in the summer.

Whatever the cause, a humid basement leads to an increase in your electricity bills because your HVAC system has to work harder to regulate the temperature inside your house. On the other hand, if your basement has the proper waterproofing in place, then your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard. As a result, your energy bills will be lower.

Minimizes Costs of Damages

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), around one in 60 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. In fact, water damage and freezing accounts for 1.6% of homes having a loss from 2018 to 2022.

Because your home is one of your most significant investments, it’s only natural that you should safeguard it from damage as much as possible. One way to do that is to waterproof your basement.

Waterproofing helps maintain your basement’s condition and reduces the chances of having to deal with major damages, such as foundation fractures and damage to drywall, wood, and other materials. Aside from insurance costs, you might also have to call on experts or professionals for cleanup and to repair the damage.

Increases Your Home’s Resale Value 

Imagine selling your house with a leaking basement. You won’t be able to get high offers for that. In fact, a leaking basement might even deter potential buyers.

This time, imagine selling your house with a basement that’s been properly maintained and waterproofed. This provides potential buyers with several benefits, one being that they don’t have to worry about waterproofing the space themselves. Plus, waterproofed basements are easier to clean, too.

A basement that leaks or has water-related issues, such as hairline cracks, water stains, and mold and mildew, will not do well in the housing market. On the other hand, a house that has the proper waterproofing in the basement can sell faster and you can get a higher profit margin off the boost in your home’s resale value.

Expands Your Living Space

When you have a basement that’s been waterproofed properly, you end up with additional space in your house. You could turn it into a storage room, a den, an extra bedroom, a playroom, a gym, a theater, an office, or an apartment to earn extra cash from. This additional space increases your property size and its value as well.