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How To
Keep Your Basement Dry And Comfortable
by Nick Messe
Keeping a basement dry is a challenge. Some homeowners never have
a problem with basement moisture or outright leaks while others live in areas of
the country that are prone to basement problems. A finished basement is an
investment worth protecting and there are several ways to do it. Basement
waterproofing in Illinois includes several of the approaches commonly used
throughout the rest of the Midwest.
One of the most common is the use of dehumidifiers to remove moisture from
the air. A dehumidifier is a simple way to combat mildew, mold and the musty
smells common in basements that have a moisture problem by drying the
environment. The manufacturer's recommendations for the effective range of a
dehumidifier will determine how many units should be spread throughout the
basement. Don't make the mistake of thinking that just one dehumidifier will
cover several hundred square feet of basement effectively.
Another way to correct a moist basement problem is to use specially
formulated sealer and paint that will prevent moisture from seeping through.
This works if the basement walls are solid and more severe leakage problems
don't exist. The coating on the wall serves as a barrier. It prevent the
condensation of water droplets and subsequent evaporation and high humidity that
they cause.
Folks with basement foundation cracks have found that it may take a
professional to repair them. Water builds up outside of the walls and as the
ground naturally expands and contracts the walls begin to move ever so slightly.
At some point a crack in the concrete wall develops and allows water a way into
the basement. Small cracks can sometimes be repaired with sealant made for the
purpose but if the damage is extensive and the walls are moving it will take a
more advanced form of repair.
Supports can be installed to prevent wall movement and a system of moving
the water from the exterior of the basement foundation installed. This is major
surgery as far as basement moisture repair is concerned but it can prevent the
eventual need to replace the entire wall. Cracking in the basement wall can
sometimes be traced back to bad gutters and the resulting poor rainwater
drainage. If that's the cause repairing the gutters will make all the difference
in the world.
Sump pumps are what most homeowners think of when the subject of basement
moisture is discussed. Sump pump systems funnel water into basins and then pump
it out of the house. The system gets a real workout during heavy storms that
saturate the ground against the basement walls. Battery backup protection for
sump pumps is a great idea.
A power outage in a storm can mean the pump won't work and the water in the
basin can overflow into the basement. The battery keeps the pump working even
when the power goes out. Reliable basement repair companies offer homeowners
several ways to prevent or repair basement moisture problems. There are many
effective ways to keep a basement dry and comfortable.
At Reliable Basement Services and we are proud to be one of the
few full service Chicagoland basement
waterproofing, foundation crack repair, and Naperville basement remodeling
companies specializing in basements. We do what it takes to give you a
comfortable, dry basement. For more information visit our website at
ReliableBasement.com or call us at 630 777-0539. |
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