It's a well known fact that properly waterproofing your basement is one of the most effective ways possible to add value to your property, beautify your home and protect against unwanted water damage and flooding. Especially if you live in rainy areas of the country, such as the Pacific northwest or the northeast, a good basement waterproofing job isn't just an option, it's vital to preventing inevitable flooding disasters. But some homeowners can be turned off to the idea of waterproofing their basements because of the outrageous price tag that can sometimes be attached to the project. In reality, there are several steps and methods to properly floodproof a basement, and not all of them are always necessary.
The most effective and most expensive aspect of basement waterproofing is excavating around the foundations of your basement and installing footer drains that are designed to lead water away from your home before it has a chance to damage your walls. The time, labor and materials involved in excavating your property and installing drains can end up costing you thousands of dollars. This method is necessary in some extreme situations, but not all. In fact, most homes already have footer drains installed, and simply cleaning them out or replacing a few broken sections might be a more affordable option.
A more affordable option for basement waterproofing involves internal methods that can be used to keep water out of your home. Sometimes internally installed French drains that span the perimeter of your basement floor can help as well, and cost much less money. Rather than expensive excavating equipment, installing interior French drains could solve your problem with more affordable jackhammering methods. This, in addition to properly treating your basement walls with polymers designed to keep water from soaking through the block, could be all you need to do in order to keep your basement safe and dry.
Also, never underestimate the importance of making sure your basement floor drain is properly maintained and clear of obstructions. If your basement ever does flood, having an unobstructed floor drain could save you the horror of deep standing water in your home. In addition to your basement floor drain, proper annual maintenance for the sewer main line will also ensure that water has an unobstructed path out of your home. Over the years, many clogs and blockages can develop in your sewer main, including tree roots, dirt, grease, and even breaks in the clay pipes themselves.
By scheduling yearly maintenance calls for your sewer main line and basement floor drain, you could keep yourself from ever having to face a flooding emergency. The costs of basement waterproofing can be steep, but always remember that a complete waterproofing job including excavation isn't necessarily the best option for your home. By choosing honest and reputable plumbing companies that give free estimates and consultation, you should be able to get an idea of how inexpensively you can fix your wet basement problems.
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