Busting 12 Common Basement Waterproofing Myths

Basement waterproofing is a crucial part of home maintenance. However, homeowners often misinterpret it. We aim to clarify some common misconceptions about basement restoration and waterproofing and enlighten you with the truth.

Myth # 1: Only the Basements in the Flood Zones Need Waterproofing

It is one of the most common misconceptions about the basement. But let’s get the facts straight! Even if you don’t live in damp regions that experience heavy rainfall and possess water bodies or seashores, your basement is still at risk. Moisture can affect your basement anywhere, anytime. It can find its way into your basement due to:

• Heavy rainfall
• High water table
• Cracks or gaps in basement walls

In this scenario, waterproofing your basement can be a dynamic approach to saving your home.

Myth # 2: DIY Basement Waterproofing can Completely Resolve the Basement Problem

Remember, DIY basement waterproofing can never resolve the problem as effectively as professional waterproofing. DIY waterproofing projects harness manifold benefits, for instance, cost-effectiveness, but they resolve the problem temporarily. Repairing the basement:

• Offers temporary relief
• Does not eradicate the underlying cause of damage

However, professional waterproofing services possess all the necessary tools and materials for waterproofing your basement and obliterating the primary cause of this problem.

Myth # 3: Exterior Waterproofing is Enough For Your Basement

Most often, homeowners believe that waterproofing the basement involves digging around the exterior walls of your basement, which is definitely a costly project. But the fact is that most waterproofing solutions need to be executed in the interior of your basement. Waterproofing companies usually offer interior waterproofing systems like:

• Drainage systems
• Sump pump installation
• Vapor barriers

Interior waterproofing solutions are:

• More practical
• Cost-effective
• Offer lifetime warranty
• Designed to provide long-term solutions for water damage

Myth # 4: You Only Need to Waterproof Your Basement Once in a Lifetime

Some homeowners believe that once they’re done waterproofing their basements, they are good to go for their entire life. Well, this is not the case. Just like other mechanical devices, equipment like sump pumps and French drains also require regular maintenance to ensure they keep working effectively. Think of it just like your car needs an oil change or your bike requires tuning services. Neglecting annual sump pump maintenance can cause severe problems.

Myth # 5: Paint or Black Tar Can Block Water from Entering Your Basement

Some house owners think that paint or black tar can conceal your basement. But it is only a myth. You need an adequate drainage system to divert water away from your basement. Although paint prevents vapor formation, it does not address the main problem, i-e., water being diverted away from the basement.

Myth # 6: You cannot Waterproof Your Basement in Winter

Are you worried because you couldn’t get your basement waterproofed in the summer? Don’t worry! You can waterproof your basement in the winter as well. Yes, no basement waterproofing in winter is nothing but a myth. Professional waterproofing companies waterproof basements year-round. In fact, winter is a good time to hire their services because:

a.   Smaller repair time.

In winter, you do not need to wait too long for the service providers. However, in the spring season, the repair might take a little longer as they are relatively busy.

b.   Easy backup.

Post-repair, you can easily set your stuff on the basement floor. However, flooding usually occurs in the spring, and you might get stuck backing up your stuff.

c.   Interior Waterproofing is not affected by the climate.

Most waterproofing systems work from the interior of your home, so the weather does not really matter.

d.   Exterior waterproofing methods work well in winter.

Most exterior waterproofing methods work out quite well in winter, too.

Myth # 7: One Solution Works Well for Every Home

Every home is different, and so is the basement issue. The experts thoroughly inspect and then customize the solution according to your home’s requirements. They combine a wide array of products to come up with a customized solution that works well for a particular basement.

Myth # 8: Basement Waterproofing is Very Expensive

Yes, basement repairs are expensive, but only when they have been neglected for a long time. The best solution to avoid costly waterproofing is to tackle the problem right away, in the very beginning. You encounter expensive repairs only when a problem is ignored, and it worsens with time. By the time you call the experts to fix the issue, they have to address an array of problems arising from a single neglected root cause.

Myth # 9: You Can Use Bleach to Get Rid of Mold Growing in the Basement

The basement is a common intruder. When exposed to moisture, organic material in the basement eventually becomes moldy. Some people think that bleach can help get rid of the mold growing in their basement. While the mold apparently vanishes due to scrubbing, you think that you’ve gotten rid of it. But that is not true. Scrubbing spreads mold spaces.

Myth # 10: You can Never Get Rid of Mold in the Basement

Although it is very hard to eradicate mold spores present in your basement, you can make them dormant. Do you know how? Well, you can do so by:

• Completely eradicating the moisture
• Eliminating any organic material such as food
• Installing a dehumidifier

Myth # 11: You Don’t Need Basement Waterproofing Because There is No Water

While you might apparently see no water at all, moisture could be secretly devastating your basement. Just like the human body shows symptoms of sickness, the home’s basement also shows signs of damage resulting from water exposure. Look for common basement damage signs like:

• Musty odor
• Peeling paint
• Dark spots
• White powder
• Cracks in walls
• Molds and mildews

If you notice any of these signs, instantly call professional service providers to get your basement inspected and waterproofed.

Myth # 12: You Cannot Waterproof All Basements

Some people believe that not all basements can be waterproofed. However, as described earlier, every basement is unique and quite different from its counterparts. So, a single solution might not work for all basements. You need to get customized solutions for your basement from trained professionals.

Conclusion

There are a lot of misconceptions associated with basement restoration and waterproofing. For instance, there is a common solution for fixing all sorts of basements: only damaged areas need to be waterproofed, and you can DIY waterproof your basement. To ensure the integrity of the basement of our home, we need to debunk all such myths and hire professionals for thorough inspection and waterproofing of our basement.

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