3 Essential Tips For Cost-Effective Basement Waterproofing
Any issues dealing with your home's foundation have the potential to become very expensive quickly. While waterproofing your basement is unlikely to cost as much as most foundation repairs, the most comprehensive options can still be costly. Fortunately, waterproofing your basement doesn't necessarily have to break your budget.
If you're looking for ways to keep your basement nice and dry, these three tips will allow you to select the options that will be most suitable for your situation while remaining as cost-effective as possible.
1. Evaluate Your Situation
Basement water intrusion can take numerous forms, although none are good. Excess humidity and moisture are at the less severe end of the scale. Still, these problems are serious enough to require attention since too much moisture can create ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth. On the other hand, active water intrusion or even flooding can be much more urgent.
A professional inspection can help you understand the source of excessive water or flooding in your basement and the most cost-effective options to remediate the problem. Waterproofing may still be the best option, even if you don't see any signs of flooding on your floors. Poorly sealed basement walls can often be a source of excessive moisture without producing visible leaks.
2. Consider Interior Options First
Interior waterproofing is often the cheapest way to keep water out of your basement. Numerous methods for waterproofing the inside of your basement exist, including:
- Installing a sump pump or adding an additional sump pump
- Adding interior French drains
- Applying waterproof paints or sealants
These options are cheaper since they don't require excavating around your foundation. The most suitable option will depend on your situation and the extent of the water intrusion into your basement. You will also want to address any issues with your basement walls, such as visible cracks or other problems, to reduce the amount of water entering your home.
3. Use Exterior Options As a Last Resort
Excavating around your home will often be difficult, expensive, and disruptive. Still, you may need to consider exterior waterproofing options in severe cases where interior solutions cannot fully solve the problem. In many cases, you may also need to address exterior drainage issues, such as problems with the overall grade of your yard.
Exterior options are similar to interior waterproofing options and include adding sealant to the exterior of the walls or installing drain tiles around your home. If you're working on a budget, avoid this approach until you're sure interior options won't work. Trying less disruptive and costly methods first can help minimize the total cost of stopping water intrusion into your home's basement.
Contact waterproofing services in your area to learn more.
