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A Beginner’s Guide to Basement Waterproofing!

Pembrook Nelson
October 24, 2014

If you have experienced water in your basement from leaking walls or floors, you may need to get help from a professional contractor who can waterproof your basement. For those that are looking into basement waterproofing services in Los Angeles, here are some things to expect when you decide to waterproof the basement of your home.

One of the first things you should do is to figure out where the water is coming from. It is often a good idea to see if it is coming from outside of your house. What you want to figure out is how is the water getting to your basement in the first place. You want to make sure that the downspouts, gutters or any other drainage system you may have, are all working properly and keeping all the water away from your home. When this is not happening properly, it can often lead to water getting into your basement. You should also make sure that the windows of your basement have a watertight seal, so no water can leak in. It is often suggested that the windows should be above ground level to decrease the chance of water getting in. By taking care of these relatively low cost problems you can save a lot of money. Through maintenance, you can make sure that your gutters are working properly.

If you have a more complex problem, it is very important to get a number of estimates from a variety of companies. Some companies charge more than others, so in order to save money, it is best that you know what you are working with when it comes to the fee. However, cheapest isn’t always the best. You want a company that will thoroughly evaluate the inside as well as the outside of your house. Try to avoid any salesmen who try to pressure you into anything. Each situation is different, but some contractors may suggest getting crack injections, which prevents water seeping in through cracks. Bigger problems might need thorough exterior or interior excavations to get at the heart of the problem.