Is There Really A Need For Waterproofing?
Maryland has some of the wettest weather in the nation thanks to its location in the northeast. About 3 to 4 inches of rain falls here each month, along with significant snow accumulations during the winter. As the spring thaw begins and rainfall increases, a home’s basement can experience an onslaught of water. It’s important to protect against water entering the basement in order to prevent rot, mold growth, and much more. However, here at AA Action Waterproofing we realize that not everyone knows whether or not there’s a need for waterproofing their homes.
There are a few things to think about that can help you figure out whether or not your home needs to be waterproofed. Here are a few of them.
- How long has it been since it was waterproofed? Good waterproofing will last for years, but if you’ve never had it done or can’t remember when it was installed, it might be worth calling a professional to do a quick check on the home just in case.
- Are there dark spots on the interior of the basement walls? Head into your basement and look at the walls. Concrete blocks or concrete walls are usually light grey, but if you notice some areas that are darker than others there’s a good chance moisture is finding its way through.
- Do you notice any cracks in the walls? Even small hairline cracks are enough to let moisture into the home, and it’s important to spot these and deal with them in order to prevent issues from occurring.
- Have you noticed standing water inside the basement, or outside along the foundation perimeter? Standing water inside is an obvious sign that your house is in need of waterproofing, while standing water outside could be a sign that your basement is experiencing a lot of moisture and that waterproofing steps could prevent problems from occurring in the future.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to wait on these signs in order to take waterproofing steps. The first one is the main one to consider, and if it’s been a considerable amount of time since your basement was waterproofed, you might want to consider having it done. This way you can ward off any potential problems in the future and ensure that you don’t have to spend additional money on repairs. In other words, prevention is generally cheaper and should always be your first strategy.