Basements are a wonderful home feature. They’re somewhere you can park your gym equipment or install a games room. But, unfortunately, they require extra maintenance, due to the fact that they are underground.
Fear not, though: in this post, we take a look at basic basement maintenance and what you need to know to keep yours in good condition.
Keep An Eye On The Landscaping Surrounding Your Home
Many of us love to keep beautiful gardens and keep various plants and shrubs close to our homes. But, unfortunately, practices like these can lead to problems in the basement if not done correctly. Many times, roots can infiltrate your foundations and water can creep in, leading to the need for underpinning.
To prevent this, always check the landscaping around your home to ensure that it is plant-free and offers good drainage. If drainage is an issue, you will need to install storm drains to collect and channel water away from your property.
If you really want to keep plants close to your home, keep them in hanging baskets and water them individually.
Insulate The Pipes
Make sure that you insulate your pipes in your basement. If you don’t, they could attract condensation, and that could lead to mould buildup in your interiors. To insulate pipes, just get a professional to wrap them in insulating foam. The foam won’t cool down like the pipes underneath and, therefore, won’t provide a surface for moisture to collect.
Don’t Dry Your Laundry In The Basement
Basements are not great places for drying laundry, having a washing machine or installing a sink. That’s because if water evaporates in your basement, it’ll stay there. In addition, you should install a powerful extractor fan. This will allow the air in your basement to circulate, removing any moisture that might be lingering in the air.
If you must use appliances in your basement, make sure that all their vents lead outside. Don’t allow any moisture to re-enter the room.
Always Check Your Gutters
Most homeowners don’t realize it, but guttering is primarily there to prevent water damage to the basement. Gutters channel water from the roof and prevent it from pooling around the foundations where it can cause damage.
Unfortunately, gutters don’t always function as you would like. When they are full of leaves and twigs, they become blocked, causing water to spill out over the sides. This can then pool near the bottom of your walls, causing damage to the foundations beneath.
It’s a good idea, therefore, to check your gutters, storm drains and downspouts for any blockages, especially in the fall when trees shed their leaves. If you find any obstructions, clear them away immediately.
Use Water-Resistant Paint In The Basement
It doesn’t matter how many precautions you take, water will find a way to get into your basement eventually. So it pays to be prepared. One of the best strategies is to use water-resistant paint. This will help to repel humidity and prevent it from becoming chronic within the walls themselves.
