For most of us along the Northeast of the US, we have a basement of sorts. Whether you have one meant for storage or it’s a proper living space, it’s important to keep it waterproof. Obviously, this is true for South Jersey.
How might it work, though? There are a lot of methods to keep a basement waterproof. Some are definitely better than others, though.
Today, we’ll be looking at some of these methods. Additionally, we’ll take a look at basement waterproofing contractors South Jersey and why they’re a key part of the puzzle. Stay tuned to learn more about it!
What is Waterproofing?
Now, our first order of business is to look at what waterproofing is. Thankfully, it’s pretty simple. Basically, it’s the process of making structures impervious to water. We’ll mostly be focusing on how it relates to basements.
The main purpose of it is to prevent water damage. If you didn’t know, that’s some of the worst kind of damage you can have in a home. It’s quite difficult to repair in a lot of cases.
Reasons for that vary. However, because water damage can cause foundational issues and increase mold growth, you can see why we want to prevent it.
Types of Waterproofing
This probably doesn’t come as a surprise. There are a few different methods of waterproofing. Each has its own pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the most common examples.
External
This may not always be applicable for basements. However, it’s still worth mentioning. Essentially, it involves applying a waterproof membrane to walls.
As the name suggests, it’s done to the exterior of these walls. This is usually done during construction. Therefore, if you’re having contractors come in after your home is already built, this probably won’t be what they do.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to understand it. Hopefully, you should know if your home has these external membranes when you purchase it. Most of them do, especially in New Jersey.
Internal
When you hear about contractors coming in to beef up the waterproofing of a home, this is probably what they’ll be doing. Resources like this one: https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/27029 discuss this process further as well.
Sealants and coatings will be applied to walls inside the home. Windows may also get the same treatment. The idea is to prevent moisture from getting inside.
Overall, it’s an effective method. It may just need touch ups once in a while. If you’re noticing leaks or other issues, going through this process will likely help.
Drainage Systems
Compared to the other options, this is a bit more complex. It involves installing sump pumps, French drains, or other drainage systems. Their goal is to redirect water away from the home.
While it’s an indirect method, it’s still considered waterproofing. Just keep in mind that this option should augment other solutions. Typically, it won’t work completely on its own.
Materials Used
The specifics of the materials involved may vary depending on the method you go with. It will also likely vary based on which contractor you work with. There are plenty of options here in South Jersey, after all.
Either way, they’ll probably use some variation of these few examples. Still, don’t hesitate to ask them about it if you aren’t sure. With that said, let’s take a look at what they might be.
Membranes
We briefly mentioned these above. These can be liquid-applied or sheet membranes that create a barrier against water. Both are quite effective.
Sealants
Various paints, coatings, or sealants can be used on surfaces. They’re used to fill in pores and prevent water leakage. Admittedly, they can vary in quality.
Waterproof Concrete
For the most part, this will be used during the building or construction process. Some concrete mixes are designed to be waterproof or to add water-resistant properties to standard concrete. Not all of them are like that though. Keep that in mind.
Why Waterproof?
The other main question at play is this one. Why seek out contractors to do this? Well, there are plenty of good reasons. Let’s look at a few of them.
Preventing Damage
Overall, this is probably the biggest one. As you can see on this page, water damage is a really big deal. It can cause some serious problems for us both immediately and in the long term.
Structural damage is one of the biggest risks of moisture getting indoors. Buildings that have significant structural deterioration may not be safe anymore. Eventually, you could even face foreclosure or something like that. Obviously, preventing that is a priority for most people.
Preventing Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are another real risk when moisture gets inside the home. Both of these can be serious health hazards. This is especially true of black mold, which most of us have heard about.
Stopping it from growing comes down to preventing the ideal conditions for it. Damp, dark spaces are some of the main places we see mold and mildew grow. Obviously, that makes basements an ideal candidate.
Thankfully, there are ways to stop that from happening. Even in the most livable and finished basements, we might experience these issues if left unchecked.
Increased Property Value
For our final note here today, let’s look at something we may not think of too often. Property is an investment. This is true even if we never intend to sell.
It makes sense, then, that waterproofing can be seen as an investment as well. Homes with proper waterproofing tend to have a lot more value on the market. This is certainly true here in South Jersey.
Rain is a problem just about everywhere. No one wants to deal with a leaky basement every time it rains though, right? This is something that people in real estate think about.
Overall, it’s not hard to see why this is something good for a home. Contractors are pretty easy to find, too. Hopefully, this guide has been useful!
