Monday, 6 April 2015

Why waterproofing your Basement is Imperative



There are many reasons as to why it is important to get your basement waterproofed here in Ottawa, where the main reason is to avoid moisture from entering and changing the air quality of the house in general by allowing mould and mildew to manifest. On another side of the coin, waterproofing does not negate the possibility that the basement wall will not settle and crack. However, even in the event of that occurring, water will not be able to enter the basement.

There are materials that are asphalt free that, when applied by certified individuals, can keep a basement dry and moisture free. Part of the waterproofing process, along with the treatment of the exterior walls of the foundation, is to inspect and ensure that the storm drainage is sufficient for the house in addition to the slop of the landscape that surrounds the house. This means that water should be directed away from the house.

Surprisingly, for most of us, concrete is not as solid, as we think it is. On the contrary, concrete is porous and therefore prone to absorb moisture, allowing it to affect the level of humidity in the interior of a building.

Unfortunately, for most residential properties built with basements or crawlspaces the opposite happens, meaning that sealing the foundation is something done by the homeowner and generally after some form  of foundation damage has occurred. This is why, as a home owner in Ottawa you should have the foundation of your house waterproofed before any damage takes place.

There are reputable companies like 
The Foundation Guys and Foundation Repair Ottawa who specialize in inspecting foundations for signs of damage and that offer waterproofing that is environmentally friendly here in the Ottawa area.