If you love the fall season, you’re ecstatic for burnt orange leaves, sweater weather, and all the movies and music that make the year’s final quarter distinctly cozy. Yes, fall has its many wonders, but it has one feature that no one enjoys: seasonal water damage.
As the sun begins to set earlier and earlier each day, it’s important to assess and prepare your home for fall’s weather-related challenges. Today, we’ll discuss the essentials for waterproofing your home this fall and how to prevent water damage. As your local water damage restoration and water mitigation experts, our team at PureDry can help you each step of the way. You can book an appointment with us online, or contact our 24/7 emergency service at any time.
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What Are Common Causes of Basement Water Problems This Fall?
Basement water issues typically emerge from the pairing of structural weaknesses and harsher weather. In the fall, melting snow, dethawed ice, and heavy rain can seep into your basement because of the following:
- Clogged and dirty gutters
- Cracks in your basement’s walls
- Poor drainage around your home’s foundation
- Poorly-graded landscaping
Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing This Fall
If you notice any of the following issues, your home may need additional waterproofing this fall. Taking action before greater problems occur can prevent costly repairs in the future.
- Wet spots on walls and floors
- White mineral deposits on walls
- Excessive condensation
- Musty odors
- Visible mold
- Rotting/wet wood
Assessing Your Basement’s Needs This Fall
Inspecting your basement for the previously mentioned signs can save you from all sorts of headaches in the long run. By following the process below, you can easily find anything that would compromise your basement. If you find any weak spots in your home, then it is important to contact the water damage repair experts at PureDry as soon as possible. Our team can prevent water damage before it happens, bolstering your home for harsh snow and heavy rains.
1. Inspect Your Home After Rain
After a rainstorm, begin to inspect your basement. You can also do this while it is raining to see if any problems emerge in real-time.
2. Check Your Home’s Exterior for Cracks
If your home’s exterior is full of cracks, water can enter with ease. Other deterioration like mold or rust is also worth inspecting.
3. Look for Interior Dampness and Stains
When inspecting your home’s interior, you should pay special attention to any dampness or water stains. White mineral residue is also a cause for concern. Look for these on walls and floors.
4. Examine Ceilings
Any water spots or sagging/bulging areas on your ceiling indicate that your home is susceptible to future water damage. When ignored, a wet ceiling can evolve into a costly and frustrating issue.
5. Scan for Mold and Mildew
Pay special attention to corners and neglected areas of your home—this is where you may find mold and mildew growing. Not only do these growths smell, but they also indicate weaknesses in your home’s ability to resist water damage.
6. Test Your Home’s Humidity Levels
Using a hygrometer, you can test your basement’s humidity levels. High humidity can damage your walls and carpets, leading to mildew and mold growth. If you find moisture levels above 50% in your home, it is important to take action.
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How To Identify Water Entry Points This Fall
Finding potential entry points into your home is essential for avoiding seasonal water damage. But where should you start? Look for gaps and cracks in the following areas, and you just might find a weakness that needs fixing:
- Foundation walls and floors
- Windows and doors, especially in the basement
- Pipes and utilities like your water heater
- Decks
- Sump pump pits
- Stairs
Advantages of Basement Waterproofing This Fall
Basement waterproofing is more important than most people realize. Along with maintaining household appliances like water heaters and furnaces, waterproofing your basement is essential in avoiding future costs associated with home damage. Take a look at all the ways waterproofing your basement can improve your home and therefore your quality of life:
1. Improved Indoor Environment
A waterproofed basement will likely have better air quality than a non-waterproof basement. This is because waterproofing rids basements of mold and mildew deposits. So, if you’re looking to abandon your basement’s musty smell, waterproofing is a wise choice.
2. Protected Basement Floors
High moisture levels and wet spots can cause long-term damage to your basement’s floors. A waterproofed basement will experience lower humidity, preserving the aesthetic and structural integrity of your floors for years to come.
3. Basement Flood Protection
A waterproofed basement prevents water from seeping indoors. This greatly reduces the risk of flood damage and other forms of long-term water damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, basement waterproofing is essential to proper home maintenance.
4. Sump Pump Protection
Sump pumps remove water from your basement in the event of a flood or heavy rain. In a non-waterproof basement, too much water can enter, and the sump pump cannot handle it all. A waterproofed basement will limit water entry, ensuring that the sump pump stays operational.
5. Protection Against Structural Damage
Waterproofing your basement prevents long-term structural damage. Homes built out of wood are especially susceptible to water-based structural damage, but any home can be affected. Structural damage will come with high repair costs, damaging your home’s value if unresolved.
6. Reduced Energy Costs
If your basement experiences high humidity levels, then your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor atmosphere. This struggle results in more expensive energy bills, so waterproofing can save you money daily by reducing those humidity levels.
Trust PureDry for Expert Water Damage Restoration
This fall, trust Seattle’s highest-rated water damage restoration company, PureDry, to help with all water-related threats. Not only do we specialize in water damage repair, but we also specialize in water damage prevention. If water has already damaged your home, our experts can be there to help in less than 60 minutes, and we handle everything from water removal and mold removal to full water damage restoration.
If you live in the Seattle area and are preparing your home for fall’s heavy rain and melting snow but don’t know where to start, contact PureDry’s home water damage prevention experts today! You can fill out an appointment form or call us 24/7 at (425) 600-6285.
