Many homeowners have problems with water in their lower level. This is particularly problematic in the spring and fall when heavy rains and even hurricane storms wreak havoc on basements in many parts of the country. To address this problem, many consider basement waterproofing. But some wonder if it will really work in their home and will actually help keep the ground floor level dry.
As with many fields and industries, today’s technology is much better than it used to be when it comes to basement waterproofing. Even for houses in low-lying areas, most of the time it is possible to dry out the lower level and make it habitable with a relatively small investment.
Here are just a few of the benefits homeowners see when they decide to take the plunge and invest in basement waterproofing:
Provides more living space
Lower level waterproofing gives homeowners much more room to enjoy. Instead of having 500, 1,000, or in some cases, 1,000+ square feet of wasted space that you can’t even use for reliable storage, now you can use all that space however you see fit. Maybe all you want is to store a few things down there. With a dry base, you no longer have to worry about those things getting wet. Or maybe you want to do even more with the ground floor level. In this case, the waterproofing of the basement…
Create the opportunity for a home remodeling project
Have you been thinking about moving to a new house because the one you live in is getting too small? We all know that the housing market is not very stable yet and there is no guarantee that you will get your money back on your current home. Save on real estate commissions and other move-in costs and turn your lower level into the extra living space you need. Whether it’s for a home office, entertainment center, bonus bedroom, or craft room, a dry basement opens up a world of possibilities in your current home.
Create a healthier living area
Mold and mildew growth often accompanies water in your basement. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to detect and only becomes apparent when you and your family begin to experience respiratory and health problems. When you invest in foundation waterproofing, the lower level will be tested for mold. If necessary, the mold remediation team will be brought in to remove this toxic hazard from the ground floor level and ensure you and your family can stay healthier while enjoying your newly waterproofed basement.
Contribute to a stronger foundation
Basement leaks are often the result of cracks in the foundation. Other problems can originate outside because there may be an imbalance somewhere that allows all that moisture to seep into your lower level. When your basement is waterproofed, these fundamental problems are fixed so they don’t become a bigger problem in the future.
Improves the overall value of the house
Perhaps the biggest benefit of all for homeowners: basement waterproofing is one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your home. Of course, if you plan to stay there for a while, you may not be immediately concerned about resale value. But chances are, it will sell one day, and the sooner you take care of damp in your basement, the sooner you’ll rid yourself of other problems like mold and fundamental imbalances that could get worse over time.
If you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, waterproofing your lower level is pretty much a no-brainer. It is almost certain that you will more than recoup your investment when the sale of the house closes, especially if you do something creative like putting an extra bedroom there to make the house even more attractive to prospective buyers.
