While it's easy to overlook its importance since it's usually out of sight, your basement needs to be monitored and protected to help keep your home protected from water damage. As a homeowner, you should prioritize waterproofing and water mitigation efforts. Here's a look at what you need to know about addressing your home's basement waterproofing needs.

Mitigation Is A Good Place To Start

If you're worried about water penetration in your basement, the first thing you should think about is mitigating any water that does get in. This means installing a sump pump or a French drain system. A sump pump will be installed inside your basement, typically in the lowest corner. This is important because water naturally flows to the lowest point, so it will automatically flow to the sump pit and then be pumped out. A French drain, on the other hand, is installed outside. You'll have to dig a ditch around the outer perimeter of your home and install the drainage system that will route water away from your foundation and your home. 

Protection Is Also Important

In addition to having measures in place to address water that approaches your basement, you should also take steps to reduce the risk of penetration into your basement. This means waterproofing the basement walls. For the best protection, you should have the walls treated by a professional basement waterproofing contractor. They can seal the interior surface, the exterior surface, or both. Before applying a waterproofing treatment, the walls will need to be repaired, if necessary. The contractors will inspect each wall for signs of cracks, chips, or other damage. Those vulnerabilities must be patched before the walls can be sealed. Once the repairs are finished and cured, then the waterproofing treatment can be applied.

Maintenance Is Required

Your waterproofing contractors will advise you what type of product they have used to treat the basement walls and any maintenance that will be necessary to keep the protective barrier secure. In most cases, it means keeping it clean and free of damage, patching any damage when it does occur, and potentially reapplying sealant every few years to maintain adequate protection. Make sure you understand any maintenance expectations when you have the waterproofing installed.

These are some of the most important things to consider when you're preparing to have your home's basement protected against water penetration. From mitigation efforts to protective barriers and maintenance, a basement waterproofing contractor can help. Reach out to a local company like J.A. Kilby Enterprises Inc to get started. 

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