Four Basement Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Follow
Four Basement Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Follow
The basement isn't your typical storage room or living space. Your basement is an important
part of your house's foundation. And as such, it deserves routine maintenance if you want to
avoid overly costly repairs. When it comes to home maintenance, it's the little things that
compile over time to make a big difference.
A healthy and well-maintained basement presents many benefits to the homeowner and house
occupants. Basement maintenance prevents mold growth, dry rot on wood, and the breeding of
pests such as mice and bugs. As a result, the air quality in the house will improve, leading to a
reduced risk of asthma and allergic reactions. Read on and discover some maintenance tips for
your home.
1) . Clean Out the Gutters and Downspout
Gutters are an important aspect of the roof. They divert water away from the walls, basement,
and foundation.
Gutters can get clogged by leaves and other debris during the windy seasons and autumn. Or
they can get misaligned from their proper position. Clogged gutters spill water on the walls down
to the basement, causing mold growth and deterioration of walls.
Always check if your gutters are diverting water as intended and position the downspout five
feet away from the house's foundation.
2) . Insulate your Pipes
Besides reducing the heating bills, insulated pipes prevent condensation, especially if passing
cold water. Condensation occurs when the temperature difference between water in the pipes
and walls is too great. As a result, the pipes slowly 'sweat' out water, which can build up inside
your concrete foundation.
Water affects concrete foundations by seeping into the concrete pores and breaking down the
concrete from the inside. Call a foundation repair specialist if you notice cracks on your
basement walls.
3) . Check Landscaping and Sprinkler System Around Your Home
Landscaping improves a home's environmental quality by softening spaces, providing gardening
space, and enhancing the home's aesthetics and value. However, if done wrong, landscaping
could compromise the house’s structural integrity and foundation.
Improper landscaping can lead to water accumulation near or around your house foundation.
Therefore, you should always ensure the slope around your house faces the opposite direction to avoid water pooling. You should also make sure the sprinkler system is only on during the dry seasons to avoid over-accumulation of water during the wet seasons.
4) Check Vegetation and Trees
Plants are incredibly versatile and strong. Even the tiniest weeds and seedlings can burrow
through and displace concrete. Therefore, planting flowers, shrubs, and trees should be done
with a complete understanding of the matured state of such plants. Always make sure you plant
trees several meters away from your home. The roots of a tree can grow six meters into the
ground and spread 2-5 times the radius of the canopy.
Take Home Message
Overall, the best way to protect your basement from moisture and water buildup is by using
water-resistant paint and waterproofing the basement. Basement waterproofing is a long-term
a solution to basement flooding, wall deterioration, and flour cracking. A well-maintained and
waterproofed basement also increases the resale value of a home since there won't be a need
for major structural repairs.
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