A Wet Basement Robs Your Home

July 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The importance of a dry basement cannot be overstated. A wet basement hosts dampness, moisture, bad smells, foul odors, mold and mildew among a large variety of serious health conditions that could take a toll on you and your family’s health. These conditions rob your home of great value and put you and your family in jeopardy of mild to serious health conditions.

A dry, desired basement is one that is completely rid of flooding, moisture, dampness or water that has the tendency to seep or flow through the concrete floors, walls and joints, as well as vents that have not been sealed properly by the homeowner. A dry basement is clean and free of bad odors or leaks that can cause mold and serious health issues, especially to adults and children who suffer from breathing difficulties or asthma. These health concerns occur by simply breathing in a number of mold spores that tend to float in the air, freely.

Added Use of a Dry Basement

Over time, we tend to fill our homes with a lot of unused personal belongings and there never seems to be enough room to properly store them. Whether your basement is remodeled, finished or unfinished, it is the right size and shape for additional storage. The basement in your home is the perfect location to store these unused personal belongings such as clothing, toys, magazines, records and other valuables. The key is to take full advantage of adding storage bins, shelves, cabinets and other storage units.

Storage bins seem to be very popular with homeowners, and they come in a large variety of sizes, styles, colors and sizes. Colored storage bins are great for items that are only used once or twice per year; curtains, bedding, seasonal decorations, fabrics, winter, fall and summer clothing. The most popular storage bins, today, are see-through bins. These bins are best suited for people who frequently use items since you can easily see what is inside each bin.

Regardless what style, color or design you choose, storage bins are designed to protect your important documents and valuables from the effects of mold, mildew, insect and rodent infestation, and water damage.

New Space adds Value to your Home

There are also several other alternative uses for a dry, clean basement; additional living space, home office, extra storage, guest bedroom or just a place to get away and relax. Many homeowners don’t take full advantage of this unused space, and with a little time, effort and money, you can add great value and useful space to your home without the ongoing high cost of new construction.

According to a recent survey completed by local area real estate agents, a dry basement is a huge added bonus to any potential homeowner. A clean, dry basement is hidden money in the bank, to anyone putting a home on the real estate market, today.

However, a dry basement with the proper heating and cooling unit can quickly transform any space. Regardless how you choose to use your basement, when water enters your basement, it can be a huge hassle on your structure, budget and health.

Solution

If your home currently has a finished basement then the best decision you can make is to waterproof it. An experienced do-it-yourself homeowner should take into consideration all of the above solutions to control and solve common leaking issues. However, it is best to hire a trained professional or basement waterproofing expert who can evaluate the situation, discuss the best options to meet your home’s needs and assure the installation is performed properly to protect your home.

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Do You Recognize Early Warning Signs of Water Damage?

July 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Owning a home is rewarding, but I have never heard it referred to as being easy. There are many responsibilities that are involved in home ownership, and none of them are negotiable. As a matter of fact, if you drop the ball and do not take all necessary steps in maintaining your home, the results will more than likely be horrible. One of the most important responsibilities you have to your home is keeping it from experiencing water damage, and the best way you can do that is by learning to recognize the early warning signs before chaos sets in.

It in not a hard task to learn to recognize early warning signs of water damage before disaster strikes, as the most important step in the process is simply learning to be aware of the current condition of your home from time to time. Routine inspections are what keep small water related issues from turning into overwhelming disasters that reel out of control. Your biggest obstacle in doing this will be obtaining the ability to practice self-accountability. You will have to make this an important habit to perform often and the more times that you go through your home seeing no trace of signs related with water damage, the harder it will probably be for you to continue understanding that this is not a waste of time. Just remember that it is the single most important thing you now do out of habit and always will be.

Now that you understand the importance of being aware of these warning signs early on, let’s consider what some of the signs may be. The first sign will also be the most obvious, and that is the presence of water already. If you happen to run across any areas that are wet or even slightly damp, then you know that water is the cause and it must be coming from somewhere. This is an easy clue that you have a leak somewhere in your home, and more than likely related with the plumbing. Burst pipes and loose fittings contribute to most of the water damage issues reported each year by home owners. This is a sign that doesn’t seem like it should be referred to as early by any means, but it can be and if you notice it you need to respond immediately.

Another sign that will make more since when being coined early will be any discolorations in the walls or ceiling. Many times you may have the start to a new water leak from an upper level floor such as a second story or attic and your first real sign of the water being present will usually be a stain that appears first much like a shadow and will begin to darken as more water comes into contact with that area. This is something that you need to respond to quickly as well. If you do not seek out the source of the water that is causing these water spots to appear or your walls or ceiling quickly, you may be replacing some building materials as a result.

Pay close attention to excessive moisture or humidity in the air. Moisture and high levels of humidity can cause water related damage just as bad as water leaks themselves can. If you happen to notice these types of signs, you want to respond right away by opening some windows and circulating the moisture out of the room and ushering fresh air in with the use of fans.

By learning what early warning signs of possible water damage are, you are more equipped to take good care of your home and keep it free from the tragedy that comes with water related issues.

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