15 Feb Waterproofing Basement in the Winter Months
Basements are prone to water damage during heavy rains or flooding. Moreover, basements are often unfinished spaces with a poor drainage system.
This means they tend to collect moisture from the ground and walls. If left unchecked, this can cause mold growth and rot.
Winter in Knoxville can be a harsh time of year for your basement. During these months, you may find yourself dealing with snow and ice buildup on the roof and around windows. You might also have to deal with frozen pipes and other plumbing issues.
It’s important to waterproof your basement before winter sets in and the weather turns too cold and wet. Waterproofing your basement can prevent major structural damage and save you time and money later.
In winter, it’s not uncommon for rainwater to seep into a basement through cracks around windows, doors, and in foundation walls. It also happens when the snow melts on the roof and runs down the sides of the house.
The best way to prevent water damage in the basement is to waterproof it properly.
Here are different reasons why you need to waterproof your basement in the winter months:
Prevent Flooding From Snow Buildup
Every winter in Knoxville is different, but there’s no doubt about one thing: Heavy rainfall & snow will happen at some point.
If you live in an area where the ground freezes every year, it will likely freeze again this season. When the ground freezes, it expands, which causes the soil to crack.
This type of damage is often called “freeze-thaw” because it occurs due to repeated temperature changes. In addition to causing serious structural damage, freeze-thaw can lead to leaks in foundations, walls, and roofs.
When freezing temperatures hit, you want to make sure that any exposed areas of your home are protected against potential water damage.
Protect Your Foundation Walls
Did you know that water can also enter your basement through foundation walls?
Foundation walls are made of concrete, brick, stone, or wood. They’re usually located under exterior walls, such as those surrounding a garage or porch.
Walls made out of concrete, bricks, and stones are more porous than those made of wood. That makes them susceptible to water damage and wet basement walls. Wood walls are better equipped to withstand water damage because they’re less porous.
However, if your wall has been damaged by a leaky pipe or a broken window, then you should have it repaired before the winter begins.
Prevent Mold Growth
During the winter, moisture tends to accumulate in the basement. When temperatures rise, and humidity levels increase, mold has more opportunity to grow.
Aside from causing health problems such as respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma attacks, molds can lead to structural damage if left untreated.
If you have an unfinished basement, you should do interior waterproofing work to help keep it dry during the winter months. You can hire waterproofing repair services to fill cracks, fix crawl spaces, seal concrete floors, and install sump pumps to stop water from getting into the structure.
Avoid Structural Damage
When the weather gets cold, water and soil expands. It causes hydrostatic pressure against the basement wall and floors. In some cases, this can cause cracking and buckling.
Bowed walls can make a home structurally unsound and dangerous. If you don’t fix the cracks or seal up any gaps between them, you risk having your walls collapse.
This can lead to serious structural damage. To avoid this situation, you must waterproof your basement before winter hits.
Keep Out Pests
When winter begins, rodents will start looking for warm places to stay. Unfortunately, they’ll often look for shelter in unoccupied areas of your home like basements.
Once they get in, they can make nests and chew through insulation. Moreover, they create holes where more pests can enter the home.
It would help if you did interior basement waterproofing to seal off all openings and cracks to prevent them from getting inside. Then, your property will be protected against mice, rats, and termites.
Benefits Of Waterproofing Basement
There are many benefits of basement waterproofing. From repairing your crawl space to fixing your bowed walls and installing a drainage system, these solutions can help you save money and time.
When you do basement waterproofing for your home, here are some things you can expect:
Save Money
You can save a lot of money by waterproofing your basement ahead of winter. But, depending on how much work needs to be done, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars to get things back to normal if you wait until there is already damage.
Not only will waterproofing help protect your home against potential damages, but it can also save you money. You won’t have to spend money fixing it if you first try to prevent water damage.
Create a Safe Space
A waterproofed basement can become a haven for children during bad weather. Children tend to feel safer in their own space than they do outside. If your basement has no leaks, then kids can play safely without worrying about getting wet or dangerous conditions.
It can help reduce stress and anxiety among children. You can even set up a designated room with toys and games that children can enjoy while staying indoors.
You can also safely store food and supplies that you wouldn’t want to lose due to flooding.
Improve Air Quality
Moisture collects in the basement because it doesn’t have proper ventilation. It leads to condensation, mold growth, and can affect air quality.
By sealing up these spaces, you can improve indoor air quality. Not only will this help improve overall comfort, but it can also prevent respiratory illnesses.
Moisture can create unhealthy conditions in a basement. It can also attract insects and rodents. You can add ventilation systems to remove excess moisture to improve air quality.
Make Your Basement More Comfortable
You can insulate the foundation wall and floors if you want to make your basement warmer during the colder months. Insulating helps retain heat, which makes it easier to stay comfortable.
It also reduces noise from pipes and other fixtures. You can install fans or even heating units to circulate warm air throughout the room.
Add Value to Your Property
A waterproofed basement can increase the value of your home.
Potential buyers may see this as a bonus when they consider buying your property. They might think that your property is more secure because there are fewer risks of flood damage.
Furthermore, you can rent out your basement separately. That means you can generate some extra cash without selling your house.
If you plan to sell your house, you need to consider adding value to your basement. Basements can be valuable to homeowners who use them often.
Lower Insurance Costs
Insurance companies often charge higher premiums for homes with a leaking basement. However, you can lower your insurance costs and save money on repairs by waterproofing your basement.
Your insurer might consider that you already had work performed on your basement. They might also offer discounts if you purchase flood insurance. But, again, you should check with your insurance company for more details.
Protect Against Future Flooding
Flooding is one of the most common disasters that can occur in homes. Even if you live in a higher-ground area, you still need to take precautions.
If you have a basement, you should waterproof it. For example, it’s not enough to cover your floor with plastic sheeting. Instead, it would be best to seal up all possible entrances and exits.
By doing so, you can ensure that water doesn’t leak into your home. In addition, by following these tips, you can keep your basement dry and safe in the winter season.
It would help if you always kept a close eye out for signs of water intrusion, such as dampness under floorboards, mildew, and wet insulation. Once you notice anything suspicious, call a professional waterproofing specialist immediately.
Get A Free Estimate
When you are unsure whether your basement needs waterproofing or you need help finding areas where leaks could develop, you can call us at (865) 410-1077.
At DryTech, we have over 17 years of experience working in basement waterproofing. As a result, we know where to look for leaks and how to fix them.
We also know how to prepare your basement for the cold weather. Additionally, we can provide you with a free estimate for any foundation repair, interior basement waterproofing, or anything else. So call us at (865) 410-1077 to get started.
Interior basement waterproofing isn’t just important for the winter. It can help keep your home safe all year long. If you don’t waterproof your basement now, you’ll regret it later.
If you are looking for a trusted basement waterproofing company in Knoxville, contact DryTech today.
DryTech offers waterproofing services year-round and can help you install all types of waterproofing systems. Contact us today to learn more.