Dampness, periodic wetness and/or out-and-out flooding are common problems for homes with basements. In many instances, homeowners can take relatively simple steps to literally push moisture away from their basements. In others, more serious measures are necessary. Angie’s List offers tips for both scenarios.
Basement Waterproofing hiring tips:
- Before you hire any basement waterproofing contractor, check consumer reviews on Angie’s List to get a look at the quality of work local companies have done for other members.
- Evaluate at least three written estimates.
- Get references from others who have used your prospective contractor and talk to them about how the work went and if the project worked out for them – try to find homeowners who have lived in their homes for a few years after the work to see how it held up.
- Check Angie’s List to determine if your contractor is licensed – look for a green checkmark on your search results page and ask your contractor to provide proof that his or her license is still valid. Another great indication of reliability is membership in an authorized accrediting trade association. A reliable contractor should be able to easily provide proof of these credentials.
- Insist on a lifetime warranty for products and the work done.
Tips to keep your basement dry:
- Check your gutters to be sure it’s installed correctly and that you have enough downspouts to push water away from your foundation. If you have water pooling, something’s wrong.
- Clean your gutters regularly so water flows freely.
- Clear debris from your window wells to allow proper drainage.
- Have interior and exterior drains cleaned yearly to minimize clogging or caving in. This is especially important if your house was built in the 1960’s or before when clay pipes were commonly used – they collapse easier than today’s pipes.
- Seal cracks and holes in concrete block walls.
- Never pile up snow against your house.
- Ensure landscaping slopes away from your home and foundation so that surface water will run away from your home and not toward your basement or foundation.
- Check for water leaks where pipes enter the basement.
- Install a sump pump and a battery back-up system for times of power loss or if the primary pump mechanically fails.