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DIY Basement Waterproofing: What Are the Disadvantages?

DIY Basement Waterproofing

A damp basement is a problem that plagues many US homeowners. In fact, an estimated 98% of all basements suffer some kind of water damage at some point. That means that roughly 14.6 million homes across the country are currently at risk of flooding.

With such high stakes, it’s clear that basement waterproofing is essential to protecting your home and preserving its value. Homeowners have a few options when it comes to waterproofing their basement. They can do it themselves, hire a professional, or take a hybrid approach.

However, choosing the DIY basement waterproofing route is a bad move for most people. Here’s why:

Dangerous

One of the key DIY basement waterproofing disadvantages is the safety concerns that come with the job. Basement waterproofing generally involves using harsh chemicals. You’ll also be dealing with mold, both of which can pose serious health risks if you’re not properly protected.

In addition, there’s a risk of slipped discs and other injuries when working in tight spaces and lifting heavy objects. As a result, it’s often best to leave basement waterproofing to the professionals who have the experience and training to do the job safely.

Costly

Any basement waterproofing project has the potential to be costly. But if you go the DIY route, there’s a good chance it will cost you even more.

Not only do you have to pay for materials, but you also have to factor in the cost of your time. And in the end, there’s no guarantee that your efforts will even be successful.

Working with a professional from the start can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your basement is properly waterproofed. In the end, it’s always worth spending a little extra to guarantee that the job is done right.

Time-Consuming

There are a lot of steps involved in waterproofing a basement. Depending on the extent of the problem, fixing leaks and cracks in your basement walls and floors can take several hours or even days.

If you don’t have experience with this kind of work, it could add more time to the project. You’ll spend time researching the best products and techniques and have to physically do the work yourself. This can be difficult if you don’t have any experience with home improvement projects.

In addition, if you make a mistake, it can cost you even more time and money to fix it.

Working with a professional basement waterproofing company can help save you time and money in the long run. They will be able to quickly assess the problem and put together a plan to fix it, taking care of all the hard work for you.

Lead to Water Damage Issues

People who attempt DIY waterproofing often make mistakes that leave their basement vulnerable to water damage.

For instance, they may not seal the basement walls correctly, or they may fail to install a proper drainage system. As a result, when rain or melting snow seeps into the basement, it can cause serious damage to the structure of the home, as well as any belongings that are stored in the basement.

In contrast, working with a professional basement waterproofing company can help guarantee that your basement is properly protected from water damage.

DIY Efforts Might Not Last Very Long

DIY basement waterproofing is hardly ever a long-term solution. In many cases, people who attempt to waterproof their basement on their own find that the problem reappears soon after they finish the job.

This is often because they didn’t use the right products or they didn’t follow the instructions correctly. As a result, they end up right back where they started, and they may have to spend even more time and money to fix the problem.

Professionals have the skills and resources to do a waterproofing job that lasts long. Homeowners who use their services end up enjoying the environmental benefits of waterproofing for a long time, one of which is an extended lifespan of the building materials you use.

You Won’t Have a Warranty if Something Goes Wrong

When you hire a professional basement waterproofing company, they will usually offer some kind of warranty on their work.

This means that if your basement floods again, or if any other problems arise, you don’t have to pay for the repairs yourself. The company will come out and make the necessary repairs at no cost to you.

However, if you attempt DIY basement waterproofing, you won’t have any such warranty to fall back on. This means that if you make a mistake, you’ll have to pay to fix it yourself.

You Can Void Your Home Insurance Policy

Insurers typically exclude flood damage from coverage, and if they determine that your basement flooding was caused by insufficient waterproofing, they could void your entire policy. This would leave you with no coverage for any future damages — including those unrelated to waterproofing.

In contrast, working with a professional waterproofing company does not void your home insurance policy. In fact, most insurers will provide a discount if you have your basement professionally waterproofed.

So, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your basement is safe from flooding and save money on your home insurance premiums.

Your DIY Basement Waterproofing Might Not Meet Building Code

Building codes exist to protect homeowners and ensure that houses are safe and up to standards. A professional waterproofer will have experience with building codes and can make sure that your job meets all the requirements.

Trying to do it yourself might result in a subpar job that doesn’t meet the code. This could cause problems down the road.

Stay Away From DIY Basement Waterproofing

In the end, DIY basement waterproofing is often more trouble than it’s worth. Not only is it risky and time-consuming, but it also has the potential to be costly and lead to further water damage issues. It’s always best to leave this kind of work to the professionals.

Is your basement in need of waterproofing? Get in touch with us today and learn how our professionals can help you.

Learn more about Sedona Waterproofing Solutions.