With recent advances in materials and construction technology, basement waterproofing techniques are quickly gaining popularity. When it comes to new residential construction, basement waterproofing techniques such as the installation of footer drains or french drains is a given if a home is being built in a wet area of the country. If you own an older home, however, the technology used when your residence was constructed might not currently protect you from all flooding and water damage problems. And depending on the area of the country where you live and its annual rainfall, your basement could be an unexpected disaster waiting to happen.
Annual rainfall affects basement waterproofing for the simple fact that the more saturated the ground is with water, the more stresses that are present on your home's foundations. There's really no effective way to make a cinder block wall completely waterproof, since moisture can slowly push through the material's porous surface and into your home over the decades. Believe it or not, cinder blocks have a lot in common with a sponge, and effectively soak up water in the ground around them. Higher rainfall means more moisture in the ground, and in that kind of environment, your basement walls will inevitably suffer damage if you don't the proper drain waterproofing in place.
Properly waterproofing your basement to protect against saturated ground means installing footer drains that draw the groundwater away from your home and deposit it elsewhere. Footer drains are plastic pipes with small holes in them that allow water to enter and flow away from your home. The best basement waterproofing procedure calls for installing footer drains all around your home, then securing them with the proper back fill methods. As the years progress, you may need to occasionally clean the drains if they become obstructed with dirt or other refuse, but with a proper clean out installation this is a very simple procedure. Properly installed footer drains, however, rarely need to have major service performed on them.
Fewer homes in dry western regions of the country need complete basement waterproofing procedures that include footer drains, and the reason why is pretty obvious: they have less precipitation, and fewer flooding problems. Living in greener areas of the country or near large bodies of water can make for beautiful views, but the increase in groundwater saturation levels is an unfortunate side effect. Keeping your basement properly waterproofed doesn't have to be a huge burden, though, as long as you a diligent in performing annual maintenance and proactive in heading off any potential problems.
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