When it comes to character, it’s hard to beat the charms of an older home. Whether you choose to fully embrace the retro-charm or blend it with more modern comforts, an aging building shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on the basics. While you expect aging infrastructure to be less effective, old and decrepit don’t have to be synonyms.
Basement waterproofing is a prime example. While older systems might well wear out and start to let water in, there are a range of modern solutions which won’t impact the character of your home but will keep it nice and dry.
Common Basement Issues in Older Homes
While none of these issues are unique to older residences, age can definitely be an aggravating factor in their appearance. If your home is of a more advanced vintage, talking to a reliable basement waterproofing company should help you pinpoint the causes and solutions.
Older homes might be particularly likely to face things such as:
Foundation Cracks
These come in various forms and not all of them are something to panic over. As a general rule, if it’s less than 1/8th” wide and dry, keep an eye on it. If it seems to be growing or damp, call in the pros ASAP.
Cracks can be formed through various means, including general age related wear and tear or issues with drainage causing too much hydrostatic pressure. However they’ve formed, they provide an easy path through your basement walls for the water.
Outdated Drainage Systems
Building standards have changed a lot over the last few decades and one of the areas this is most obvious is in drainage. As the climate shifts, we’re seeing increases in rainfall and older systems, where they’re present at all, can often struggle. These issues are often exacerbated by a lack of maintenance leading to deterioration over the years of neglect too.
It goes without saying that ineffective drainage will lead to problems with moisture getting where it shouldn’t. This might lead to things like:
- Seepage
- Cracks forming
- Mold growth
- Bulging, dipping or heaving walls and floors.
Inadequate Waterproofing Materials
It’s a sad fact that every homeowner is well aware of: nothing lasts forever. Waterproofing is no exception to this rule. Over time materials like tar coatings will succumb to the ravages of age like everything else does.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Have you ever opened the door to your basement and been hit with that ‘old basement’ smell? That’s likely caused by the growth of molds and mildews. They thrive in dank, dark spaces like basements with poor waterproofing. In older homes, they’ve generally had longer to get established and can pose some pretty serious health risks.
People with allergies and existing respiratory problems are most at risk from spores, but some species of mold can impact otherwise healthy people too. The presence of these spores in the home greatly reduces the indoor air quality and that’s bad for everyone.
Assessment and Inspection Process
If any of those issues seem to be popping up in your basement, consulting the professionals should be your first port of call. They should undertake a proper investigation to determine the causes and weigh out your options. This will let you tackle the root causes of your basement dampness rather than simply treat the symptoms.
An inspector will be keeping an eye out for things like:
- Signs of water damage – damp spots, staining, rot, mold, cracks etc
- The condition of your foundations – signs of movement and cracks forming
- The condition of drainage systems- cracks, blockages and capacity
- Airflow and humidity- basements are often badly ventilated which makes dampness more serious
Knowing what exactly is behind the issues in your basement means you’ve got a better chance of getting the right solution. This means you don’t waste time and money on something that won’t be effective and can get back to enjoying your home.
Effective Waterproofing Solutions For Older Homes
Waterproofing comes in all sorts of formats, so it’s rare that you’ll find a one-size-fits-all solution. Your team of waterproofing experts might suggest a single intervention, but it’s generally most likely to be a combination of measures.
External Waterproofing
When it comes to work undertaken outside the house, installing new waterproof barriers is the most effective thing that you can do. This is undeniably a bit of a nuclear option- it’s disruptive and likely not the cheapest- but it’s incredibly effective.
Barriers physically stop water from finding a way through your walls, all but ensuring a dry basement.
Internal Waterproofing
Working within the walls of your basement is generally less disruptive. All the work (and mess) is contained, leaving you to go about your life as it happens. This could include things like:
Installing Drainage Systems
Whether it’s French drains or a professional sump pump installation, drainage helps stop water finding its way through your floors. It can also be invaluable in getting it back out again if it should find its way through.
Sealing Cracks and Joints
A crack is simply a long hole, when you think about it. These are an easy path for water to find its way through, so sealing them up makes sense. Modern sealants like epoxy and polyurethane injections are strong, easy to apply and durable.
Improving Ventilation and Dehumidification
Basements tend to be less well ventilated than the rest of our homes. The windows (if there are any) stay shut and even the doors are opened less often. This often leads to a build-up of humidity in the area which in turn can lead to mold growth and condensation problems. Installing exhaust fans, improving airflow and using a dehumidifier can help all these issues.
Tailored Solutions For Historical Homes
If you’ve chosen to live in an older home, the chances are that the history and aesthetics of the place are what attracted you in the first place. Luckily, keeping up those historic vibes doesn’t mean compromising on your waterproofing.
Find a firm who understand historical building techniques and are willing to customize your waterproofing solutions to keep up that historical charm. It really is possible to get the best of both worlds here.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
As ever, prevention is better than a cure, so keeping up with things like regular inspections is key. This applies to any homeowner but goes double for those who live in older buildings- there’s every chance that a previous owner was a little lax after all.
Regular inspections let you get ahead of issues before they present a real problem. As a general rule of thumb, the longer things are left the more expensive the fix will be, so acting quickly is key.
Keeping on top of guttering and downspouts and maintaining machinery like your sump pump should ensure that your historic home has many more dry years ahead of it.
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