Basements are useful areas of the home that provide ample storage space, possible game rooms or living quarters, and potential protection for the family in the event of a disaster. Unfortunately, they can also be prime spots for water damage that could affect your foundation and anything you're storing down there. There are a few benefits to waterproofing this area with some key steps.
Pests
Damage due to water can make your home less safe, but it can invite squatters in the form of insects as well. Termites and cockroaches like to find easy access to a home through its foundational supports. Many basements provide small places insects can access that might be unknown to you. Waterproofing this area can seal up some of these points, and it cuts off any wood that termites might like to use as a food source.
Structural Issues
Over time, excess moisture building up in the foundation can cause problems with the overall structure of a house. Should your home have a wooden foundation, having too much water soaked up inside it can soften the materials after some time. Working with experts to get some basement waterproofing done can help you maintain the integrity of your dwelling. While concrete might be more robust, it is still porous, and it can sustain problems from this kind of damage as well.
Mold
Basements provide the perfect mixture of moist, dark spaces in which mold can flourish. Unfortunately, it is also easy for your home's ventilation to spread mold to other areas of the house once it begins down there in the foundations. If you have asthma or other problems, dealing with mold could be a deadly proposition. Waterproofing keeps extra moisture out as much as possible, giving this issue less of a chance to develop.
Damage Bills
Making your basement waterproof even helps you protect your wallet. Many of the claims homeowners need to file are the result of water damage to this area, as water can often pool around the foundation and leak into basements. This is especially problematic if your area is prone to flooding. If you need to make a claim like this, you could be looking at rising insurance costs that you'll have to pay for the foreseeable future. That's just one more bill to add on top of any repair costs you'll have to deal with while you get the home back in order. Waterproofing also makes sense to increase the value of your home in the event of a sale.
People like to think that their basements can take a lot of punishment. It is true that they can stand up to a lot, but it doesn't take more than a bit of water damage to cause issues for your home. These problems can break down the structure of your home over time. Taking a few steps to secure your basement against water damage can have benefits that you'll see throughout the home for as long as you live there.
