5 Tools Everyone in the Philadelphia Basement Waterproofing Industry Should Be U

Posted by Earwood on January 7th, 2021

So without further ado, here are five reasons why keeping a dry basement is important:

A dry basement is useful. Want to keep your old record collection stored down there? How about your classic set of vintage toys? Not if your basement has leaking walls. Nothing's worse for a storage area -- one of the most popular uses of basements -- than pooling water. But what if you're not using it for storage? What if you use it to dry clothes? If you've got condensation, that's not gonna happen.

You can remodel a dry basement. Ever think about turning your basement into a home office? How about a hobby room or a media center? Not if you're working with a wet basement. Once it's dried out, you can have the basement of your dreams, but a leaky basement is no place for a home theater.

Black mold hates a dry basement. Black mold loves one thing over everything else: Water. Deprive it of this, and it can't survive. In a wet basement, black mold can thrive, emitting spores that can damage your family's health. And as black mold grows, it can ruin the porous surfaces of your home, like wood and concrete. Once it digs in, only a thorough (and potentially expensive) remediation effort can remove it.

A dry basement won't lead to foundation cracks. Your foundation is the most important part of your home. That's why they call it "the foundation." And if water pools around it, it can create hydrostatic pressure, which can cause tiny cracks in the cement of your foundation. And if the water doesn't go away, it can seep into those cracks and make them bigger. When the weather turns cold, the water inside the cracks can freeze and expand. From there, it's not getting any better.

A dry basement makes for a valuable home. A home with a basement that's prone to mold and foundation cracks isn't going to sell for asking price. Fix it up before you sell.

What used to be a dark cave can become a new room thanks to basement remodeling. The fun part, obviously, would be the actual remodeling of your basement. The harder yet but important part is the actual clearing of everything that existed before the remodeling project. Here are some essential must-dos for basement remodeling preparation.

Sort out the stuff. Anything accumulated before remodeling needs to be segregated. Have three piles: one for items you could use during the remodeling, another for possessions you want to keep, and a final pile for things you want to donate or throw out. Keep the one for remodeling purposes nearby; store the second at another location; and discard of the third accordingly.

Clean the room. Remove cobwebs, wipe windows, sweep dust, mop floors, and scrub all the walls, windows, and floors. The room will get dirty again during the remodeling process but at least the old dust and grime won't get into the mix.

Check for leaks and cracks. Before starting the remodeling of your basement, locate existing leaks and cracks. Any such seepage or fissure is evidence that the previous waterproofing measures done might be faulty or need repairs. These should be fixed before the remodeling of your basement begins.

If necessary, revamp your waterproofing system. More often than not, too much moisture could mean a waterproofing system is nonexistent or the existing one should be included in the remodeling.

Check the drainage, usually found on the exterior perimeter of the house, for leaks. Include this renovation in the initial stages of remodeling your basement.

Treat all mold and mildew. Moisture and the bacteria that come with it is a hazard to remodeling of basements. Apply industrial-grade mold remover to all stains. For good measure and to be completely rid of it before basement remodeling begins, scrub all adjacent walls and fixtures with the chemical even if you don't see any telltale discolorations. If there are stubborn stains on any wall plaster, pipe, or window frame, get rid of them. Make sure to include their replacements during basement remodeling.

Clean out all the vents. As a final step before any remodeling, clean out the air vents to prevent fungi and bacteria from spreading. Replace any insulation that shows discoloration because mold can grow on heated surfaces during winter. Use a de-humidifier every now and then to prevent it from growing back. Use it during basement remodeling, too.

A clean workplace is a safe one, a dirty one can make remodeling of your basement a pain. Make basement remodeling more convenient for you and contractors to speed up Philadelphia Basement Waterproofing the job. Before you know it, your basement remodeling project will be finished.