Wet Basements and Crawl Spaces Hazards
Wet basements and crawl spaces are a problem for many homeowners in Virginia. If water seeps into your basement, it can cause damage to your personal possessions and can leave unsightly stains on your walls and floor. This is why many homeowners invest in interior drainage systems. Keeping water out of your basement will not only lead to a drier, cleaner home but will also keep you and your family healthier, as excess water in your basement or crawl space can cause several health problems. For all of your basement waterproofing needs, contact Basement Masters Waterproofing today.
There are a number of ways that moisture can affect the health of people in your home – some of these issues include the following:
- Mold or mildew growth: If water is allowed to sit in your basement, or if the walls or floor become damp, it will most likely cause mold to grow. These mold spores can infect the air in your basement or crawl space. Although this probably does not sound like it would affect you much – after all, you may not spend a lot of time in your basement – it is a serious issue. Most of the air that you breathe throughout your home comes from the basement or crawl space.
- Insect infestation: Bugs love damp and dark spaces. If your basement or crawl space has a water issue, it will become the perfect refuge for crawling pests of all kinds. Damp basements and crawl spaces are also often easier for insects to access, as the water has probably left weak spots or cracks in the foundation or worn away parts of the concrete.
- Structural damage: Wet or damp basements and crawl spaces leave your home much more prone to loss of structural integrity. This is because the water can rust metal supports or cause wooden supports to rot, thus affecting the structural components in your home. Cracks in the foundation or foundation walls are also a side effect of moisture in the basement or crawl space. This means that your foundation may become weaker and unsafe, eventually leading to full foundation failure and the collapse of the entire foundation.
Interior Waterproofing and Crawl Space Encapsulation Can Keep Wetness Out of Your Virginia Home
Interior waterproofing is a great way to keep your home dry and healthy. When an interior drainage system is installed, it allows water that makes its way into the home to be removed and redirected away from the foundation. The main components in an interior drainage system are the drain pipes usually installed alongside the footers and under the foundation walls and floor, the sump basin, and the sump pump. The system begins with the drain pipes, which carry water that seeps into the crawl space basement to the sump basin (or sump pit). Once the water in the sump pit has reached a certain level, the sump pump kicks on and begins to pump the water out of the pit. From there, the water is carried through pipes to the outside, where it is expelled well away from the foundation of the home.
Crawl Space Encapsulation is another service that Basement Masters Waterproofing uses to prevent wet basements and crawl spaces. The encapsulation process is completed by covering the walls of the crawl space or basement with a vapor barrier. This barrier is made of a vapor retardant material, such as plastic or foil sheeting. It locks out moisture and water vapor to keep your basement or crawl space dry and safe.
No matter how bad your wet basement is, Basement Waterproofing Masters can provide you with a top-quality basement waterproofing solution to keep your home dry and safe all year long. Our interior drainage systems will redirect water from your basement before it can become a problem, and our crawl space encapsulation seals out moisture to keep your basement dry and safe. Don’t let water ruin your home and the health of you and your family – contact Basement Masters Waterproofing today.
This post was originally published on 2/18/2014 and updated on 2/22/2022 for accuracy and a larger scope of information.
