Over 90% of homes experience basement leaks. However, a majority of homeowners will ignore the need for basement waterproofing. Many homeowners leave the leaks unattended especially when they deem it a minor leak.
The longer you wait to fix the water problem in your basement, the worse the situation will become. As soon as you find a basement leak, it cannot wait. No matter how much you can’t afford to fix a basement leak, you, honestly, can’t afford to wait. Waiting and letting the problem get worse will lead to bigger, more expensive problems.
Results of Ignoring Basement Leaks
Increased Humidity:
As you may have already noticed with small leaks in your basement, when water emerges, it will eventually evaporate, especially small amounts. While this takes care of the immediate problem of water on your floor, where do you think all that humidity goes? Right back into your home! The HVAC system in your home was created to manage humidity levels, but you’re making it work extra hard to combat the excess moisture. Although the moisture following a leak will eventually evaporate, doing so causes higher humidity levels in your home.
If your HVAC system has to work harder to remove the moisture from the air, you’ll see an increase on your energy bill also.
Mold and Bacteria growth in your basement:
Mold needs three things to thrive: food, air, and moisture. It can derive its food from any organic matter. Once you add in moisture to the mix, mold is capable of growing and spreading. Mold is extremely dangerous to the health of your family and pets. Even if it’s located in the basement, mold spores can spread to the rest of your home.
Ignoring a basement leak will lead to mold and mildew problems, potential rot and water damage to the framing and rim joists as well as structural damage to the foundation itself.
Flooding in your basement
An unfixed leak in your basement can also lead to a serious flooding issue, especially when it rains. Also, when the snow starts to melt from the freeze. Flooding in your basement can cause significant and expensive damage.
Damage to Structure and Foundation
If your leak is occurring through a crack in yourfoundation, you want to have that remedied quickly. Otherwise, cracks in the cement can lead to more leaks which can lead to flooding and damage to the foundation and structure.
Concrete is porous and will deteriorate if left with a persistent leak. If you have water coming through a concrete wall it means there is water in the soil on the outside of the foundation building up pressure. Hydrostatic pressure can cause foundation damage and serious structural and nonstructural cracks. The nonstructural merely let in more water causing more damage, while the structural cracks can cause the foundation to collapse and compromise the structural integrity of the house.
Decreased Home Value
If your basement is not maintained properly, then it will reduce the property value by almost 25%. This is another main reason you need to get your basement waterproofed by experts. Avoiding basement waterproofing as a house owner can turn out to be the worst decisions of your life as, along with financial loss, it can also lead to health issues as well. All you need to do is choose the best basement waterproofing company and get your basement waterproofed by professionals.
Call the experts in Basement waterproofing
Here at BAM basements and Masons of Des Moines we pride ourselves on delivering every consideration to total customer satisfaction with the highest quality workmanship, limited lifetime warranties, having over 100 years combined of expertise on waterproofing, we are locally founded, owned, and operated. Call us for all your waterproofing needs and we will find a customized solution to fit your home’s needs. BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is your premier basement egress window company serving the Des Moines, Iowa area. If you’re located in Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona, Pleasant hill, Ames, Adel, Waukee, Indianola, Grimes, Urbandale, Johnston, West Des Moines, or the surrounding areas, we’re the place to call.