Baseboard waterproofing system install#
Baseboard waterproofing system professional#

The leading causes of a wet basement include: Photo: Causes of a Wet Basementįoundations and water don’t mix, and during the construction phase, the builder should take steps to ensure water drains away from a basement-not toward it. In that case, even a small amount of puddling water can be enough to permanently damage wood furniture legs or be absorbed by entire cardboard boxes of stored clothing, linens, and other items, which will likely be permanently ruined.Įven if furniture or books are stored off the basement floor on shelves, pallets, benches, or tables, the high humidity that accompanies a wet basement may cause the materials to become damp, which can still destroy them. Suppose these items are placed directly on a basement floor. Damage to Stored Itemsīasements, like attics, are a favored spot for storing things the family isn’t using right now-stuff that is either valuable or at least too good to give away.

If neglected, the mold will produce airborne spores that can be transferred through the home’s central heat and air system to the rooms above.

Any mold can lead to health concerns, so all mold growth should be eradicated. Most mold found in basements is not what’s known as “black mold,” or “toxic mold” ( Stachybotrys), although it should be treated as if it were. Mildew often appears as a white residue, while mold is usually black, green, or dark brown. A wet basement is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew to grow. Photo: Development of Mold and Mildewīasements are also naturally musty, but a strong smell of mold should alert the homeowner that something is amiss. It takes longer for treated wood to rot, but it ultimately will. Standing water will still eventually warp treated wood members, causing them to swell, become disfigured, and even rot. When constructing a basement today, building codes require wood floor plates-and sometimes wall studs-to be made from pressure-treated wood to help resist water damage, but pressure treating isn’t a cure-all. Still, if water leaks into the basement where the foundation meets the wood framing (sill plate), these leaks can eventually rot out the plate and damage the rim joist and any nearby floor joists. Wood Rot and Water Damageīasements are typically made from masonry (concrete, stone, or block), which holds up well to occasional water damage. However, a leaky basement is a whole different story-the presence of water, either running down walls or puddling on the floor, is cause for concern. Slight dampness in a basement can be treated by installing fans that exhaust to the home’s exterior and by using only moisture-resistant flooring. Located below grade (ground level), basements are notorious for feeling damp because unsealed concrete walls and floors tend to absorb water from the outside soil and transfer it to the basement’s interior. Here’s all the information you need to choose the best basement waterproofing solution.

Baseboard waterproofing system professional#

There are, however, a few measures you can take to protect your home from water, running the gamut from inexpensive safeguards to high-dollar professional remedies. While the best time to waterproof is during new construction, if you live in an older structure, you don’t have that luxury.

Baseboard waterproofing system install#

Unless the plan is to install a swimming pool in the basement, you probably cringe at the idea of water trickling beneath your house.