New Home Constructed Next Door? A Waterproofing Service Can Protect Your Home & Family
Posted on: 23 August 2021
If you've noticed that your basement has been damper since a new house was built on the property adjoining yours, you should consider having waterproofing services. The displacement of the rainwater and groundwater from new construction can cause more water to be on your property and in the soil, which could result in a wet or flooded basement.
If there is a new home construction on the property adjacent to yours, or will be soon, it's a good idea for you to call waterproofing services. Here are a few things waterproofing services can protect.
Protect the Foundation's Structural Integrity
Your home's foundation is critical to the structural integrity of your entire home. A shift in the groundwater can cause a significant increase in the hydrostatic pressure placed on the exterior of the foundation walls. This pressure can cause the foundation walls to form cracks and/or shift.
When the foundation is damaged in this manner, the rest of the home's structure can be adversely affected as well. A foundation in poor shape can make it more difficult to sell your home in the future, even if you spend a lot of money on remodeling the living areas of the house.
Protect Your Furnishings and Personal Belongings
Furnishings and personal belongings in a basement can easily get damaged if your basement floods. If your basement is finished and used as a living area or sleeping area, hire a waterproofing service to determine what can be done to waterproof your basement based on the variables in your particular situation, such as the slope of the property and the potential amount of displaced rainwater runoff and groundwater.
For example, you may need a completely upgraded waterproofing system if your home is located downhill from your neighbors new home. Conversely, if only the corner or wall nearest to your neighbor would likely be affected, the waterproofing service may only recommend the installation of a stronger sump pump.
Protect Your Family Members
Even if the flooding is contained to the corner or wall nearest to the new structure on your neighbor's property, the dampness in the foundation walls and basement can cause problems in your home by increasing the risks of the growth of mold and mildew due to the excessive moisture. According to the CDC, mold can trigger allergic responses, asthma, and/or hypersensitivity pneumonitis in some people.
One way to combat excessive moisture that can lead to the growth of mold and mildew is to install and use dehumidifiers in the basement. Dehumidifiers can effectively reduce the moisture in the air but cannot remove dampness or wetness that may seep through the foundation. Therefore, a combination of the use of dehumidifiers with other waterproofing measures is ideal, particularly if you or a family member's health is affected by poor indoor air quality.
Protect Against Pest and Insect Infestations
Just as with almost every living creature in the world, pests and insects need water and moisture to survive. In fact, water and moisture in your basement make it more attractive to pests and insects. Waterproofing services can help you reduce the risks of infestation of various pests and insects, including termites.
When your waterproofing service comes to your home for the initial evaluation, the technician will be able to give you more information regarding the particular pests and insects that are more commonly found in your location and what types of waterproofing services would work best for your home. For example, if termites are a problem in your neighborhood, the installation of a French drain around the exterior perimeter of your home's foundation may be most effective in preventing not only a flooded or wet basement but a termite infestation as well.
Contact a waterproofing service like Central Penn Waterproofing to learn more.
Share