Whether your basement is finished or not, you don't want it filling with water. Unfortunately, thanks to their location, basements are prone to floods and water damage. If you would like to know more, so you can better protect your basement, keep reading.

Why Does Your Basement Flood?

Basements are subgrade, which means they sit fully or partially below the ground line. This naturally puts them at a higher risk of flooding, but some factors can increase the risk of basement flooding. First, if you have poor drainage or an incorrectly sloped yard, the water may sit or gather around the foundation, increasing the risk of water damage and flooding.

During heavy rain, the groundwater may start to rise as the underground aquifers overflow. This causes the water to rise, and it may rise right into your crawlspace and basement. As soil swells and sinks, it damages the foundation, causing cracks, which allow in more water.

If your basement floods significantly and frequently, you should address the leading issue. If poor drainage is the issue, a French drain can help. Other solutions may include a sump pump, changing the slope of the yard, and adding water-absorbing plants and ground covering.

What Are the Complications of Basement Flooding?

Water causes a lot of problems when it gets in your basement. For starters, it can damage any materials you store in your basement, such as photo albums, furniture, electronics, etc. Depending on the type of water, it may even contaminate materials with sewage. For this reason, most porous materials should be discarded after water damage. In addition, it destroys building materials, such as drywall, flooring, and wood.

Above all, however, the long-term complication of basement flooding is mold. Mold grows fast and loves moist dark environments like your basement. Mold can cause unpleasant odors and ugly stains on the walls, but it can irritate those with allergies or asthma.

What Basement Waterproofing Solutions Exist?

Ideally, you want to waterproof your basement. Even if you take every step to improve drainage, floods can still occur, but by waterproofing your basement, you eliminate the risk of water damage. Waterproofing often starts inside the basement. Technicians use special epoxy to seal any problem areas like areas with cracks.

Exterior waterproofing is more effective, but you'll need to excavate the soil around the foundation to apply a waterproof membrane. This lasts a long time and blocks any water from reaching the foundation. In addition to waterproofing, you should also consider adding internal drainage systems.

Basements are often damp, but they shouldn't be. With good waterproofing solutions, you can reduce the risk of water damage and mold. If you would like to know more about basement waterproofing, contact a provider such as B-Dry System of Southeastern Michigan Inc.