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Can Waterproofing Protect my Basement Area?

Floor regions are more prone to regular dampness for a number of reasons and this is especially true for basement regions of a building.

It is important to understand why this happens and what measures are to be taken to stem it from happening in the first place. It’s quite frustrating to deal with these issues on day to day basis and for many, it has become a perennial problem even in the summer days.

If this area lies outside the purview of your attention then it could be more problematic as it becomes the breeding ground for mosquitoes and possibly invites snakes and other rodents that inhabit these areas if left unchecked. Now, this is a serious cause of concern even if you don’t have kids at your home.

On contrary, if this area is used for storing junk or parking vehicles then it could be something that can’t be ignored.

A damp basement is uncomfortable to use and apart from that, it poses a great health threat to you and your loved ones.

Still, feels this isn’t that of a big deal?

Okay, then you should consider these micro-organisms which multiply at these places and can wreak havoc in your life.

Here’s the list.

Moulds

The growing of fungus moulds is a common health hazard for people working or living in moist surroundings. They thrive in dampness and if these spores enter your body then they could cause serious health issues ranging from headaches to respiratory illnesses.

During this Covid-19 pandemic, many of these opportunistic micro-organisms like the black fungus have made headlines and cause finicky among people. Recently, in many cases, it had attacked people leading to amputation of their infected body parts and worst deaths.

Bacteria

The damp place is an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and once airborne, it may cause infections. Using bleaching powder and chemical spray could be a temporary solution and when its effect fades away then it may re-emerge.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are yet another kind of tiny creature that grows well in a warm environment with a damped surface nearby. If you have seen sudden red bulging on your skin then these are mostly bites of dust mites. It can cause itchy eyes, nose irritation, and sneezing. You can be kept at bay by warding off excessive humidity but again this is a temporary solution if the origin of issues is not addressed.

Now, let us identify some of the major sources of dampness in the basement area. And unless it is done properly the end result is disappointing due to its ineffectiveness in the long run.

Retention of rain and groundwater

If your home is located in a low-lying area then the retention and circulation of rainwater are quite obvious. On the other hand, if you’re drawing water through the submersible pump then over time the leakage may happen in the internal sidewalls of the well, and water may ooze out thus creating a damp floor.

Water clogging

Water clogging is a problem in some areas where proper sanitation and disposal aren’t available or maybe the drain is getting stuffed with materials that are heavy to flow by. This creates water stagnation and over time damages the drain’s outer surface causing dampness in the surrounding areas.

Leakage in spouts running over exterior walls

This is the most common occurrence and is found almost everywhere. This is caused mainly due to two reasons ill-fitting plumbing system and worn-out pipes installations especially if it is made of iron. The continuous water flow seeps into the wall and gradually destroys it.

Construction joints and cracks

During the renovation, certain joints are inevitably created but it also becomes a vulnerable area to develop cracks due to improper construction, exposure to extreme heat including general wearing, and tearing. By and by this area becomes visibly affected by water seepage.

Bathroom and kitchen region

Most bathrooms and kitchens are constructed with vitrified tiles or granites which are absolutely perfect but floors and sidewalls of these places are still affected as the water slightly passes through the concrete pores of weakened tile joints. Surprisingly, we have the least control over avoiding this detrimental effect. People may wonder seeing the cracks appearing on edges of side walls connecting these places and still have no clues how it has happened?

As a matter of fact, these regions need extra care and attention as the application waterproofing agent is concerned.

The building materials like brick, mortar, concrete, etc. have pores that soak up water or moisture from surrounding soil or leaking drainage ducts. The water flows through the internal capillary channels inside the concrete structure and the constant hydrostatic pressure keeps it damped. This mainly happens to basements.

Waterproofing treatment of the basement largely depends on the intensity of hydrostatic pressure. The different levels of hydrostatic pressure demand different approaches or else inappropriate solution simply fails.

So, utmost care should be taken while determining this factor.

By now you must be thinking that it’s a whole lot of work that involves a thorough inspection and precise calculation to get smooth and best results.

Well, we at BuildingKaDoctor provide you end-to-end solutions be it a cellar or a ceiling. Our expert team is always at your service in fact we’re one call away.

So, if you are experiencing any basement dampness issues or want a general evaluation of the building’s condition then call us now at 9776417248.

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