Did you know that 60% of homes in the United States have wet basements? Excess moisture in your basement can not only be a nuisance with a constant wet odor but they can also be perfect breeding grounds for other mold and bacteria in your home. Seal up a damp basement for good with these 3 important things in order to prevent the need for water damage cleanup:
Diagnose First
If you have damp areas of your basement, cover those areas with foil tape and leave it on overnight. In the morning, if there are water droplets on top of the foil you know that you have a problem with water inside the air of your basement. If the water is only on the bottom side of the foil tape then you know that you have water coming into your basement from the ground. Knowing what problem you have first is key to fixing your basement properly.
Seal It Up
If your basement is unfinished, consider purchasing a sealer that can be easily spread onto concrete walls. This specially formulated sealer is sold in the paint section of your local hardware store and is pretty easy to apply. Simply paint the sealer onto the concrete and follow the directions for multiple applications. The seal will help to block water from entering your basement and will probably need to be reapplied every few years to keep your basement moisture free.
Invest In a Sump Pump
A sump pump is a very important tool in keeping your basement dry. If you have a basement that can sometimes flood it is important to have a sump pump that will automatically pump excess water from your home. Some basements may need to have more than one sump pump in different areas to be effective. Picking up a few smaller sump pumps to have on hand in the event of a flood is also not a bad idea.
Wet basements are a constant headache for many homeowners. Be proactive in your efforts to protect your home from excess water to skip the need for water damage cleanup services. If your basement has flooded, despite your best efforts, consider contacting ServiceMaster of Charleston who can get a water damage cleanup team out to your home to keep your home safe.
