Caring for your home in the winter doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re concerned about the effects excessive precipitation might have on your basement, or if you just want to get ahead on those projects that have been nagging you for the better part of the year, you can set aside some time in the winter to take care of basic basement maintenance. When you do, it’ll be easier for you to pick up old projects in the spring while also avoiding unwanted water damage.
The Basics of Winter Basement Maintenance
When it comes to caring for your home this winter, you’ll want to:
1. Fix Any Damage Done to Your Home
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure there’s nothing presently wrong with your basement. Hydrostatic pressure can build up outside of your home during the spring, summer, and fall, causing cracks and leaks to form when you’re not looking.
If you’ve had to contend with any degree of seepage, sinkage, or water damage during the warmer months of the year, you’ll want to spend some time in winter attending to the source of that damage. Make sure to keep an eye out for:
- Standing water
- Mold growth
- Higher levels of humidity
- Bowing walls
- Sagging floors
- Damaged insulation
Alternatively, if you want a little help, you can reach out to the professionals serving Richmond, VA. This way, you can walk through your home with an expert and identify not only sites of previous damage but also those areas that may be vulnerable to winter precipitation. A professional can fit you with a personalized and free repair quote based on what damage your basement may have endured and what repairs you may want to invest in.
2. Install Window Well Lining
Basement inspections don’t need to be relegated to the inside of your home. Make sure you take your inspection outdoors so you can check on the other structural and protective measures you have in place.
Your window wells, for example, exist on a negative grade perpendicular to your home. As such, winter’s snow and rain are more likely to settle in these areas than they are in any other spots around your home. As such, you’re going to want to make sure your wells are equipped with a powerful window well lining. This lining will prevent unwanted moisture from making its way into your home or from freezing while in contact with those materials making up your basement’s structural supports.
If it appears that the lining you currently have in place suffered from tears or other types of damage during the summer, you can reach out to representatives at your local hardware store to discuss what replacement materials might be available to you.
You also can invest in covers for your window wells to ensure no precipitation, debris, and pests can enter the window well, the window itself, and ultimately your basement.
3. Waterproof Your Home
When in doubt, you can always discuss what waterproofing measures might suit your home best with the professionals in your area. As mentioned, these professionals can provide you with a free quote noting how much it might cost you to invest in solutions like:
- Interior drains
- Sump pumps
- Dehumidifiers
- Vapor barriers
- Waterproof insulation panels
If you want to stave off winter precipitation, don’t hesitate to contact the basement waterproofing professionals in your area for guidance. The sooner you can protect your home, the better off you’ll be.
