How Foundation Waterproofing Can Increase the Value of Your Home
Water is one of the biggest threats to your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average water damage claim is almost $11,000. Besides doing thousands of dollars in damage, water can threaten your home’s safety.
Foundation waterproofing can help you avoid major damage and repairs to your basement or crawlspace. But there are other reasons you should consider waterproofing as well, including increasing your home’s value.
The information below provides some details about what causes moisture or flooding and how you can protect against it. It also offers some insights into the benefits of foundation waterproofing, so you can decide it if is right for your home.
Foundation Basics
Your home’s foundation provides a level base for it to sit on. It holds up your home and makes it safe to live in. If it is compromised, then so are your house and everything in it.
Some homes sit on concrete slabs, meaning there is no space beneath the home’s floorboards. Other homes have basements or crawlspaces underneath.
Basements are completely below the ground and usually span the length of the home. Since they are underground, basements are susceptible to water incursion. For this reason, waterproofing the foundation walls of your basement is imperative.
Crawlspaces exist when the foundation of a house comprises footings or short walls. These elevate the structure, leaving enough room between the floorboards and ground for someone to crawl through (hence the name).
While crawl spaces are mostly above ground, they are still vulnerable to flooding. They are often unsealed to allow circulation. But this also opens them up to moisture issues, not to mentioned insect or rodent infestations.
Foundation Waterproofing Options
If rain or groundwater cannot drain away from your home’s foundation, it could accumulate in your crawlspace or basement. This can be the result of a clogged or improperly installed gutter system, or if the ground around your home slopes towards it.
You should address drainage issues before tackling foundation waterproofing. If not, the problems will return over time. In basements and some crawlspaces, it may be necessary to install drainage systems as a backup to future flooding.
There are different methods for waterproofing a property’s foundation. Doing so from the inside is usually the best option for most homes since it is minimally disruptive. It is typically the most affordable option as well.
Interior Waterproofing
Interior waterproofing involves first applying foams or epoxies to any cracks or crevices in the foundation walls. Basement or crawlspace encapsulation is another way to keep moisture at bay and produce a uniform seal.
Interior waterproofing is ideal for minor water encroachment. A drawback is that it does not address major exterior water issues. In short, your interior space could be protected while water damage persists within the foundation.
Exterior Waterproofing
Exterior foundation waterproofing is usually a much more complex undertaking than interior projects. It could involve some excavation, which requires heavy equipment. And it could be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. While DIY interior waterproofing may be okay for some homes, you should leave exterior projects up to the professionals.
Exterior waterproofing involves applying polymers to any spaces in the foundation’s walls. These are special sealants that will last for decades. You can use membranes for external waterproofing, but they are less common.
Waterproofing Benefits
There are many benefits to waterproofing your home’s foundation. Here are a few major ones to consider.
Strengthens Foundation Integrity
The biggest reason to address water in your basement or crawl space is the serious damage it can cause to your home’s foundation. Not only will waterproofing help make your foundation sturdier right now, but it will also help it last much longer.
Fewer Repair Costs
Foundation waterproofing also can help you avoid major repair costs, and not just related to flooding. Humidity can damage baseboards, flooring, furniture, or other items you have stored in the space. Also, numerous insurance claims due to water damage can drive up premiums.
Besides repairs, water damage–especially flooding–can require repeated clean-up after heavy rains. This alone can cost a lot of money and be very time-consuming.
More Storage or Living Space
Waterproofing helps keep your home’s basement or craws space clean and tidy. This means you can use it for storage or convert it to living space. It can add up to 1/3 or more to the total area of your home. Even if the area is not calculated in the total living square footage, potential buyers will be attracted to the extra storage space.
Converted basements are a great area for office space as well as entertainment, like home theaters or pool tables. If you are considering making your basement into a living space, waterproofing the area is a necessary first step.
Healthier Air
Moisture in your basement can cause problems in your home, including health issues. Moisture leads to mildew and mold growth, which can trigger asthma and other upper respiratory tract conditions.
Energy Efficiency
A waterproofed foundation also is more energy efficient. It prevents cracks from letting external heat or cold seep through. This is great for your energy bill as well as when you go to sell the home.
A Wider Net of Buyers
If home buyers know anything, it’s that water damage can be a big headache that involves huge repair bills. By waterproofing your foundation, you are eliminating any doubts with potential buyers about the integrity of the foundation.
Some buyers will be willing to deal with water issues if they want the property. But there are many more that will flee from the prospect of major water damage repairs.
Find a Foundation Waterproofing Specialist Today
Now that you have an idea of the many benefits of foundation waterproofing and how it can increase the value of your home, you can decide if it is the right move for your home. If so, you can begin looking for the best waterproof foundation experts in your area.
At Sedona Waterproofing Solutions, we provide high-quality foundation waterproofing, basement and crawlspace encapsulation and repair, as well as mold remediation. Contact us today to see how we can help secure and protect your home.
