Benefits of Waterproofing: Protection, Preservation, and Prevention
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A home is often one of the most important assets in a person’s life. You work hard towards not only obtaining, but also sustaining it once you become a homeowner. For many, sustainability means taking the necessary steps to ensure the best protection of their home and prevention against potential damage.
One possible source of damage is from water that can unfortunately find its way into your home. Water can seep into your basement after collecting around the foundation of your home. It can leak from a pipe or the roof; it may flood your basement during heavy rainfall; and more.
What is Waterproofing?
However water gets in, the consequences may be anywhere from a nuisance to a possible disaster. Waterproofing is a way to prevent water from getting inside. It helps protect your home from potential water damage.
The benefits of waterproofing include:
- Protection of your home from the inside out,
- Preservation of your home’s condition and value,
- Continued comfort and safety for you and your family,
- Prevention of possible water damage.
Waterproofing can help to ensure all of these things through either an indoor or outdoor waterproofing system.
Common Waterproofing Systems
Waterproofing systems may include French Drains and Sump Pumps for indoor or outdoor use. Both systems work to collect, remove, and redistribute water that accumulates outside or inside of your home. A waterproofing specialist can evaluate your home’s inner and outer grounds to locate sources of water. They then determine the best option for the most effective water removal. Your home’s specific waterproofing needs may depend on its construction, the area in which you live, and the sources of water that threaten to seep inside.
Waterproofing Keeps Your Possessions and Your Family Safe
Water that makes its way into your home without a waterproofing system to stop it can lead to damage, loss, and expense. Water can ruin furniture, rot wood, rust metal, attract bugs, create mold and mildew, cause odor, damage valuable items, and even jeopardize a home’s foundation itself. These potential damages could cost thousands of dollars in replacement. Though, remember, some losses may not be replaceable, such as family photographs. Installing a waterproofing system before any of these things happen assures that most water will be kept out of and away. Your valuable items will be protected.
Waterproofing also keeps your home and your family safe from other side effects associated with water damage. For instance, the formation of mold and mildew can lead to health issues, affecting the respiratory system and triggering allergy and asthma symptoms. Water that is present in your home and is continually left untreated can lead to more serious issues over time.
Waterproofing also helps to preserve the original condition of your home and its value, which can both depreciate if damage occurs. Waterproofing solutions help to keep your home dry, clean, and comfortable and your family safe and protected. For a home you’ve always dreamed of and worked towards having, it deserves the best protection from the many unexpected and unwelcome situations life often brings.
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Editor’s Note: This post was provided Dorian Adams for Gillece Services. Voted one of the best businesses in Pittsburgh by Trib Total Media, Gillece Services provides top quality service in Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical, as well as Indoor Air Quality, Water Quality, and Waterproofing. They have been a sometimes contributor here. To see all of their posts, their author page can be found here.
You should always ensure that a basement is 100% dry before processing to finishing or otherwise remodeling a basement. For additional Basement Waterproofing Tips, here is a pretty comprehensive guide from The Money Pit – How to Fix a Wet Basement. ~jb
Nice posting. I’d say that, after fire, water is the worst possible thing for a home. And nearly all older homes seem to have water infiltration to varying degrees; sometimes folks aren’t even aware of relatively minor problems until they get bigger. All the more reason to have a pro do an inspection/assessment for water entry and potential damage. Thanks for the great posting!
just now catching this comment John… you know, we had big rains here yesterday, which forced me to work in my sump-pumpless basement. Considering the age of my house, I do okay … adding my long missing gutters has of course helped, also may add a perimeter drain at the house’s front side still this summer. But watching the water pour in yesterday made me realize I may have to pump up my efforts. We’ll see. Cheers and as always, thanks for adding your input my friend. ~jb