When most people think of waterproofing, they think of protecting their home from the elements. While this is certainly an important aspect of waterproofing, there are other reasons why you should waterproof your home. Not only can water damage cause nasty stains and weaken your home but moisture can lead to health issues caused by mold growth too! In this blog post, we will discuss three areas of your home that need to be waterproofed to keep your family safe, healthy, and warm.
Do You Own Your Home Or Rent?
- Waterproofing your home involves more than just protecting it from the elements; it is essential for preventing damage, reducing mold growth, and avoiding costly repairs.
- Key areas to regularly inspect for waterproofing include basement walls, leaky pipes, air and plumbing vents, window frames, doors, roofs, and gutters.
- Hiring a professional contractor is often necessary for addressing complex waterproofing issues like foundation cracks, roofing repairs, and standing water problems.
- Homeowners can tackle simpler waterproofing tasks themselves, such as sealing windows, doors, and wall penetrations, to reduce moisture intrusion and enhance energy efficiency.
- Waterproofing your home helps to prevent mold growth, reduce the risk of flooding, avoid expensive repairs, and lower energy costs by improving insulation.
Parts Of The House That Need Regular Checks To Ensure They Are Waterproof?
When it comes to waterproofing your property, there is no such thing as being overly cautious. But, unfortunately, that is the thing about water: no matter how hard you try, it will find a way to sneak inside each crevice that it makes contact with. So even if you think you have done a good job of waterproofing your home and protecting it against disaster, there is always a chance you can do more - get in touch with a roofing company, for example, to make sure your roof is in the best possible condition.
Top Areas In Residential Buildings To Examine For Waterproofing
basement walls - solid concrete foundations, especially ones with weight resting on them are subject to cracking over time and this is especially true for older buildings where they may not have had complete protection by installing waterproofing materials or waterproof coating on exterior walls or proper drainage system outside the structure to help move water around the building itself.
leaky pipes around sinks and toilets - pipes can leak and while most of the other waterproofing methods that we'll discuss are about how to prevent snow, rain, or ground water from entering your house, here the issue is to prevent plumbing from causing serious issues.
air and plumbing vents - there are some cracks which develop over time but sometimes home owners create their own existing cracks by doing DIY jobs to install a new dryer vent or put an antenna wire through the wall without the same protection that professional contractors might use to prevent a water leak.
window frames and doors - properly sealed windows will have zero gaps that allow air or water through or around it during wet weather and this is one of the most important areas of interior waterproofing because it is also one of the easiest to fix yourself.
roof and gutters - the role of your roof is quite literally to keep the elements out but as roofing tiles age they can create gaps and materials such as bituminous membrane and rubberized asphalt don't last forever. Additionally, while metal gutters work great in normal weather conditions, during the fall and winter, clogged gutters, ice dams, and standing water due to snow blocking downspouts can take a toll on even the best-designed drainage systems.
Now that we have gone over some of the reasons why you should waterproof your home and areas where a professional can help with this task, let's look at what those places are! You may not realize it but there are several different parts of your house where moisture can get in. These include: basements, crawl spaces under decks or patios as well as around door frames and windowsills if they're not properly caulked. The first step to keep these areas safe is making sure they don’t leak water when raining outside because leaks won't only cause damage inside but also lead mold growth which could potentially make people sick!
Waterproofing Methods You Need A Professional Contractor To Help With
In a modern home, most of the core areas like windows, doors, plumbing issues, and good waterproofing methods that stops groundwater from causing problems with your basement are covered by building code laws for commercial and residential buildings. That's lucky because these are some of the more expensive repairs to do and also among the most dangerous to do by yourself.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that previous contractors didn't mess up and use improper waterproofing products or cut corners when they improperly installed windows.
Call A Waterproofing Professional For ...
- roof and gutter issues
- plumbing
- foundation cracks
- standing water in your yard near your house
While you might think you can do many of these issues cheaply, an improperly repaired problem can cause serious damage later because you didn't fully fix the problem. Now instead of saving hundreds of dollars you might be spending thousands of dollars. This is especially true for things like bathroom repair or areas that might affect your home's aesthetics or impact the value of your home.
Areas Of Your House That That You Can Waterproof Yourself
Sealing windows, doors, and holes in the wall where vents and wires pass through walls are very easy for most homeowners to fix themselves. By doing this type of interior waterproofing, you can immediately reduce the amount of moisture that passes through the walls. This is the first line of defense and one of the most important steps toward making your house water-resistant.
Additionally, while windows can be fairly difficult to install properly, adding new doors to your home can be an easy fix that will not just make your house more water resistant but also improve energy efficiency so you can keep your house heated correctly.
If you do see intermittent signs of a water leak in your bathroom or roof due to temperature variations and make sure to note those so you can check back on a regular basis to see if the moisture problem gets worse. Be prepared to have buckets or even a plastic sheet to collect drips in these spots so that you can help prevent damage.
Luckily, waterproofing materials designed for DIY home repair are easy to find, and plenty of guides are available to help you prevent small issues from causing a major disaster.
Why Is It Important To Waterproof Your Home?
While waterproofing your home will not magically save the day, it gives your house a fighting chance to reduce damage and maintenance issues caused by water intrusion. Let's take a look at some specific areas that it can help with.
Waterproofing Helps Prevent The Growth Of Mold
Mold development and moisture are linked. When water enters your home, mold can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours. If you have had a moist place for an extended period, mold is likely already growing there. Removing mold from a hard surface will not be difficult.
On the other hand, if mold is growing on a porous surface or, even worse, in an area that is difficult to access, it will spread and will negatively impact the air quality in your home. You can prevent mold growth by waterproofing your home and removing any moisture or dampness from the environment.
Eliminating Places Where Water Can Seep In Reduces The Chance Of Flooding
A small leak may appear inconsequential, but if things go wrong, a leak may quickly become a flood in a matter of minutes. Flooding will almost certainly cause substantial water damage to your property that could cost thousands and can result in a variety of problems such as mold growth, structural damage, and degradation of a home if left unattended for an extended period.
Sealing cracks properly is one of the most important waterproofing efforts that you can do.
Small Water Seepage In Exterior Walls Can Be Costly And Often Isn't Found Until There Is A Big Problem
Water damage will almost certainly increase your repair costs. This is especially true if the damage is substantial. For example, flooding may be more likely to occur in your basement because of minimal ventilation and high humidity. You may find yourself in need of the services of a professional, which we all know will not be inexpensive.
Taking steps to waterproof your property early on will lessen the likelihood that your home will suffer costly damage due to issues such as floods or leaks in the future. It is also strongly suggested that you waterproof any basement in your property if you have one. Good home improvements will help you save money while increasing the value of your property.
Waterproofing Your Home Can Also Save Money On Energy Costs
If you have leaks or damp patches in your home, you may realize that it takes more electricity to heat or cool your house. As reported by the United States Department of Energy, overworking your heating and cooling system can increase your energy expenses by up to 10-15 percent every year.
Investing in your home's waterproofing, specifically your basement, can save you hundreds of dollars every year on your energy bills. This is because basement leaks tend to add damp interior air. So, it may be time to start waterproofing your home if you want to protect it against water damage and reduce energy costs.
Luckily, most waterproofing materials are also good for reducing air flow and so while your focus might be on interior waterproofing, you are actually accomplishing both goals at the same time.
Is A Waterproof House Just A Pipe Dream?
In some ways, it is virtually impossible to fully waterproof your house. While there are waterproofing materials that you buy and drainage systems that you can install, water will always find a way to go where it wants to go. Your goal here shouldn't actually be about creating a space that is 100 waterproof, but rather creating an environment that offers protection from damaging forces that could cause major repair bills and impact the health and safety of your family.
Waterproofing is an investment in the safety, health and comfort of you and your family. Whether it's sealing cracks to prevent water seepage or caulking tiles that are prone to leaks, there are many ways for homeowners to protect their property from costly damage caused by flooding or moisture issues.
