Every home owner’s nightmare is water leaking in their basement. This place is highly prone to bacteria growth which results to foul odour and a decrease in structural integrity. In most cases, one of the culprits is a blocked drain which is a common plumbing issue in Sutherland Shire and other nearby areas. Fortunately, there are ways not to experience it again or better, to never go through it at all.
Common Reasons for a Flooded Basement
Oftentimes, the basement is where we store our unused yet still valuable home pieces. However, this is the least visited part of the house which leads to neglect or late detection of plumbing problems. When this happens, the smell will not be the only problem you will have to face but also moulds that can eventually destroy your belongings or worse – your home’s foundation. Furthermore, this structural damage can spread to the walls, posing your property at risk to be deemed an unfit home for habitation. To prevent this, conduct a monthly check-up for different areas in your home including:
- Window Wells
Your windows can be poorly installed which can lead to water seepage whenever there’s a storm in your area. - Honeycomb
Honeycomb is a term used for concrete walls that has voids. From its actual word inspiration, this part of concrete resembles bees’ honeycomb which is characterised by having hollow areas. Water can seep into these gaps, build up over time and eventually, result in an overflow and reduced integrity. - Blocked Drains
Blocked drains in Sydney homes will never be out of the list. A clogged drainage system can lead to stagnant water in pipes that go through your basement. That’s why it’s important to make sure your sewage system is well-maintained to avoid such disastrous plumbing issues. - Cracked Floors and Walls
If you have cracked floors and walls in the basement, this is a huge warning for you. No matter how small these cracks are, the water can seep through them and damage your basement. Fortunately, there’s always a plumber in Sutherland who is willing to help and rectify the situation.
The Solution
A flooded basement is certainly a dreadful situation to be in. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid it which mainly involves waterproofing.
- Exterior Waterproofing
Typically, moisture in the basement is mostly caused by an exterior factor. That’s why it’s important to seal the outside walls using a polymer-based sealant during the construction process. Aside from that, this usually involves excavation of the soil surrounding the foundation to ensure no moisture can seep into the structure. - Interior Waterproofing
This type of waterproofing method is the cheapest and easiest way to secure your basement. This generally involves sealing any holes or cracks found on your walls, floors, windows and doors. These areas should be properly sealed and watertight to prevent any leakage. Moreover, waterproof sealants are also efficient at keeping your basement’s humidity levels down, discouraging possible bacteria growth. - Drainage Systems
Drainage problems are the most common underlying cause of flood or moisture in the basement. Due to this, you should conduct a thorough inspection of your drainage system to get ahead of the problems.
Everybody wants a clean and dry basement. Achieve and maintain this by availing of our premium plumbing services.