The basement of a house is one of the areas that will be at the greatest risk of experiencing water intrusions. Yet, there are many homeowners that will fail to respond to this problem in an appropriate way due to misinformation playing a role in guiding their decisions.

Myth: It Is Normal For Some Water To Leak Into The Basement

When a homeowner first notices a small amount of water in the basement, they may assume that this is normal or at least harmless. However, water intrusions of any type will need to be treated in a serious way. For example, a small water intrusion in the basement can be enough to cause substantial foundation damage as well as contribute to mold growth. In fact, many of these issues will have the potential to cause problems for the other areas of the home. This may involve mold spreading to other areas of the house or the foundation compromising the structural integrity of the building. As a result of this threat, you should act quickly to have a professional waterproof your basement.

Myth: Basement Waterproofing Services Will Always Require Structural Changes To The Home

One assumption that is often assumed by homeowners is that basement waterproofing services will always result in the basement needing to undergo major structural changes. Yet, this is not always the case as the exact upgrades that are needed will be determined by the severity of the water intrusion problem as well as the design of the home and the surrounding terrain. For example, if the water intrusion issue is relatively minor, it may be possible to address this problem by applying a waterproofing coating to the walls of the basement. However, those with more severe water intrusion issues may need a sump pump in order to prevent flooding from occurring.

Myth: Painting The Walls Of The Basement Is A Suitable Replacement To Professional Waterproofing

Some homeowners may assume that applying a coat of paint to the interior walls of their basement will be a sufficient alternative to hiring professional waterproofing services. However, the paint is unlikely to prove effective at stopping water from entering the basement. However, it may be effective at covering the damage that is occurring until it becomes severe. If you are wanting to paint your basement walls, you should wait until a contractor has been able to finish waterproofing this area of the home so that you can be sure that it will be protected before you apply a coat of paint over it.

To learn more about basement waterproofing, talk to a contractor for more information.