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Basements
Basement Remodeling
Flooding
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HII's Suggested Home Services Merchants
- ARS HVAC
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A Wet Basement Lacks the Charm of an Indoor Pool
By Angelique Gervais
angelique.gervais@homeimprovementideas.net
No matter what shape your basement is in, waking up one day to find a little or a lot of water accumulated there can be a monstrous annoyance and one that is easily prevented.
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Prevention
Basement waterproofing truly begins with the construction when it can be most efficiently and easily dealt with.
- Be sure that the landscaping of your lot slopes gently away from the foundation so that rain and snow melt don't run toward the basement but away.
- Basement windows should be secure and comfortably above the level of surrounding landscaping.
- When landscaping the yard keep in mind that large trees or shrubs planted too close to the foundation will need large amounts of water that can accumulate and seep in to the basement.
- To prevent a wet basement due to condensation be sure that the basement has a good air flow and adequate supply of sunlight.
Determine the Cause
- Before spending money of solutions, find the true source of the problem.
- To determine if your wet basement is due to seepage or condensation, tape a square of tin foil to the basement wall, being sure to seal all four edges securely. In a couple of days, if the edges of the foil are wet and collecting moisture inside you have seepage. If the outside of the foil is dewy, the problem is condensation.
- Examine interior and exterior basement wall for cracks or holes.
Solutions
At times the solution to basement waterproofing can be simple and inexpensive or it can have astronomical costs. Accordingly you may decide to undertake major renovations or try some less permanent but more cost effective solutions.
- If your problem is seepage but the cause is not something that you are willing to change at this time, you can consider installing a sump pump for dealing with the problem initially.
- A more long term solution to seepage is to apply a basement waterproofing compound to the interior and exterior walls. Exterior compound application does not require excavation but can be accomplished by injecting the dry compound between the soil and the foundation.
- If the problem is condensation, installation of ceiling fans and opening up some curtained windows to allow sunlight to penetrate will aid your wet basement problem.
Whatever your problem, there is a solution and looking ahead will let you face the thaw feeling prepared so you can enjoy it to the most.
About the Author
Angelique Gervais owns and operates a graphic design business serving rural areas in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. She recently completed editing and compiling an anthology for her local Writers' Group, of which she is an active member. Angelique holds a degree in Biblical Studies, and she is currently expanding her education in the areas of psychology and human development at the Masters level.
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