Winter is right around the corner. While you may have your eye firmly on the holidays and all the good times you’re going to have, the weather has a little something different in mind.
Is your home prepared for the possibility of cracked pipes and flooded basements? This isn’t something you’ll want to shrug off. Water damage is a notorious household issue that can cost you thousands of dollars in lost equipment, supplies and priceless knick-knacks. It’ll sneak up on you when you expect it least and leave you in the unenviable position of having to replace your furniture and patch up your moisture barrier. There is good news, however.
Waterproofing is as easy as taking another look at your crawl space drain system and calling a professional before the snow hits.
The Prevalence Of Water Damage
Waterproofing the basement is a necessity any American home should be familiar with. Failing to do so is setting your cozy winter up for failure before it even gets started. If you’re still not convinced, just check out some of these recent statistics on the matter. One study on household maintenance found, out of allhomes with basements, over 95% will experience some form of water damage. Not only is water damage a great way to kill your budget, it can actually leave a negative impact on your health.
Health Impact Of Mold Build-eUp
Mold may look gross, but what it does to your physical health is even worse. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA), 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause problems with your health. This can range from minor rashes and clogged sinuses to severe allergic reactions. An interesting study by the Mayo Clinic found over 90% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to unseen mold build-up in the home. Waterproofing your basement is a great way of preventing this.
Common Contributions To Flooded Basements
What causes you to need basement waterproofing in the first place? You have a mixture of broken pipes, poor ventilation and clogged crawlspaces. A recent study found 15% to 20% of all new home continue to be built over crawlspaces. Today over 25 million American homes have crawlspaces in place that help put the basement in a bad position to combat the build-up of moisture. Wall-vented crawl spaces are unable to maintain relative humidity below the 70% threshold, which is the perfect breeding ground for condensation and eventual mold growth.
General Tips For The Winter
Before you learn how to keep your crawl space moisture free, here are a few tips you should maintain for the winter. Cracked pipes are an accident just waitingto happen, which means you need to take the initiative and get them checked by a professional before it gets cold. A cracked pipe can cause your appliances to clog or flood, leading to thousands of dollars in damage that can get worse if mold starts to build. Any signs of mold need to be cleaned out as soon as possible to keep your health sound, which can include a hot water and white vinegar solution not unlike what you’d use to wash a cutting board or your floor.
How To Start Waterproofing Your Basement
Your basement needs to be protected from condensation and mold build-up. The only way to do this is to start waterproofing your basement before it gets worse. Plants should be placed within a minimum of two feet or so from your home’s foundation, low enough in the soil so they don’t redirect water right back. If you notice a little water build-up in your home despite your best efforts, it’s recommended you clean up and dry out the space as quickly as you can within the next day or two. This means using whatever tools you can to dry out the water and keep mold from growing in the cracks.
Winter should be a season of relaxation and warmth, not mold and stress. Start waterproofing your basement today and keep your crawl space vapor barrier intact so you can enjoy the holidays in style.
