A flooded basement is always a problem and could cause mold and mildew that might affect your family's health in recently built homes. According to Sanitred, new houses will develop external water leaks within 15 years. Fortunately, basement waterproofing can help to prevent internal and external flooding that might occur. Basement flooding has many potential causes, but there are many ways to waterproof your basement and quickly manage any flooding that could happen. The following are six effective ways to prevent water accumulation in your basement.

1. Make Water Flow Away From Your Home

The best way to ensure effective basement waterproofing is to prevent water from getting into your basement. To do that, you need landscaping and good gutters that enable water to flow away from your home. A gentle slope that is highest at the walls of your home and has a non-permeable stone layer will encourage water to flow away from your home and basement. Preventing external flooding is a key factor in keeping your basement dry. Good gutters and proper landscaping will help you to do that.

2. Waterproof the Basement Floor and Walls

The interior and exterior portions of the basement wall require waterproofing. Without it, moisture could easily penetrate the cinder blocks typically used to erect basement walls. Applying waterproofing material is the same as applying paint and is done with rollers or sprayers. When the interior and exterior walls are waterproofed, water will have a harder time seeping through the walls. You also can waterproof the basement floor to prevent seepage through cracks and pores in the walls and floor.

3. Insulate the Water Pipes

You need to protect your home against internal water sources to get effective basement waterproofing. The water pipes that run overhead in most basements are a potential source of condensation that could lead to a significant amount of water in your basement. These exposed water pipes can be wrapped with insulation that will help prevent condensation. Having your hot water pipes wrapped will also give you the extra benefit of lowering the cost to heat your water supply. You also should inspect your pipes during the spring and fall each year to ensure they are in good shape. Any signs of damage or deterioration mean you should maintain the pipes to help prevent failure that causes internal flooding by calling a professional.

4. Use a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is a great tool for removing excess moisture and humidity from the air in the basement. If any excessive moisture collects in puddles on the floor, the dehumidifier can remove the moisture and encourage rapid evaporation and drying wherever any water might have collected.

5. Improve Basement Ventilation

When moisture gets into a basement, it often has no place to go. You can maintain a dry basement by improving its ventilation so that humidity and moisture can exit the basement and lower its humidity level. Having ducts installed from your home's ventilation system will help to remove moist air from the basement. A portable floor fan combined with windows can help improve water evaporation when water gets into your basement. A floor fan combined with a dehumidifier can make quick work of wet spots in your basement as well.

6. Install a Sump Pump

No basement waterproofing is complete without at least one working sump pump. Sump pumps actively expel water from basements and are the best line of defense against water accumulation. A sump pump that is mounted into a drainage system in a well-designed basement will stay off until water accumulates. When enough water has accumulated in a small catch basin, the sump pump will turn on automatically and pump the excess water out of your basement. Your home should have at least one sunken sump pump in the basement. The floor should be contoured in a way to create a low spot with a drain and basin that naturally collects any water that enters. The sump pump will expel that water while keeping your basement dry.

Having trouble with water in your basement? Give us a call at B & B Basement Repairs LLC to learn more about how we can help and schedule an inspection. We can determine the best basement waterproofing for your home and help you to keep it dry.