3 Easy Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Basement
Want to keep your basement safe and secure this winter? Use these maintenance tips to respond to damage or prevent it from forming in the first place.
Schedule Free InspectionCaring 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.
Basement Waterproofing FAQs
JES Foundation Repair offers a wide number of drainage systems that can be installed within your basement for efficient moisture and water control. Arguably one of the most important drainage systems are sump pumps: basins that can intake large amounts of water found in and around your home and redirect this water elsewhere so that you do not experience leaks or floods. The SafeDri™ ProPlus 330 is the most basic model, and the SafeDri™ UltraPro Triple Sump Pump System has an additional pump for heavy duty jobs. Homeowners also have the option of the SafeDri™ ProPlus with Battery Backup System, which includes a battery backup that kicks into gear in the event of a power failure.
If you notice that water is entering your basement from any doorway openings, the BasementGutter™ Grated Drain Pipe is the solution for you. It is installed directly into the floor at any entryway, therefore capturing any water that may enter your basement through them. The holes of the grate are also small enough to block larger pieces of debris from entering, and even then, the drain pipe is easy to clean. Another option is the BasementGutter™ Interior Drain System, which lines the perimeter of your basement that is both resistant to being clogged and non-invasive to your space.
JES Foundation Repair also offers a basement dehumidifier that can remove 4 times the amount of water from the air than the commercial brands. It is also highly efficient since it drains on its own and can be adjusted to remove as much or as little moisture as you deem necessary.
It’s recommended to regularly check your basement, especially after heavy rainfalls or during seasons with increased precipitation. Monthly checks can help you spot early signs of water intrusion, allowing for timely intervention.
Basements can be susceptible to water intrusion during any season. However, periods of heavy rain or melting snow, such as in spring or after severe weather events, can heighten the risk. It’s also worth monitoring during prolonged rainy periods or rapid snowmelt.
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