What You Need to Know About Basement Maintenance

Your basement can be your favorite place in your home, or the bane of your existence. It really comes down to how much work you have to put into your basement to keep it clean and dry. No matter if you live in a mansion or a starter home, keeping your basement in working order will make your life a whole lot easier. This is what you need to know about basement maintenance.

Know Where Water Might Enter the Basement

Water is probably the top enemy of your basement. When water gets into your basement, it destroys what’s down there. Even worse, if the water is allowed to sit there for too long, it can quickly lead to black mold, which comes with a whole list of potential health problems. This is why it’s important to know where water might come into your basement.

There are two places that typically invite seepage into your basement: window wells and cracks in the walls or foundation. Brick walls can be particularly vulnerable to water because there are so many potential places for a weakness. Use various sealant products on your walls and window frames to make sure there are no places for water to get into your basement. You will need different kinds for walls and windows. Ask someone at your local hardware store to help you find the sealant that works best for each situation and material.

What Happens If Your Basement Gets Water Damage?

If you’re unable to head off the water getting into your basement, it’s likely that you will end up with a lot of damage during a heavy rainstorm. Your belongings will be ruined and there will likely be a trail of mold in the water’s wake. This is why you’ll want to see how homeowners insurance quotes compare before you decide on a policy. You won’t necessarily know if your basement is going to have issues when you move into your home. That’s often something that completely catches people off-guard. If your homeowners insurance policy is lacking, you may have to pay to replace all your damaged items on your own. That would just be adding insult to injury.

What Tools Will Keep Your Basement Dry?

Some people have basements that will inevitably get water in them. In this situation, it’s necessary to have tools that will quickly get the water out so it can’t sit there and create an environment for mold. These are a few items that will help keep your basement dry:

• Sump Pump: It may sound like something silly; but a sump pump is no laughing matter. Essentially, a sump pump sits at the lowest spot in your basement and pumps water out of the building. This is mandatory for anyone who can’t seem to keep water out of their basement.
• Better Gutters: Basement maintenance isn’t just about your basement. It also involves the space around your basement as well. If your gutters are dumping a lot of water right next to a window well, it’s only a matter of time before that water starts finding its way into your basement. Reroute the gutters so they drain away from your home.
• Install a Drainage System: Some people’s homes are near a hill. If you home is at the bottom of that hill, water is going to try to get into your basement during heavy rains. You may need to build a drainage system to redirect flowing waters away from your home. While this can be costly and labor-intensive, it can often be a permanent fix to a wet basement.

Even if you don’t use your basement every day, it’s still an important part of your home. Keep these tips in mind when you’re maintaining your basement.