The general idea of a basement is a dinghy dark room in your parent's home that is fit for residence only when you cannot afford to move out and are too old to live with them anymore. But, now the idea of basements has progressed and advanced drastically. Home offices, complete with adjoining an adjoining kitchen and bathroom, are now the resent state of basements. People have transformed the vision of basements in the eyes of the public by putting it to the best of use. However, alongside this innovation came the responsibility of using waterproofing in basement in order to ensure that it is a place worthy of residing in.

Why You Need Waterproofing Cement

Basements are probably the one place in your house that is most privy to dampness and eventual crumbling of the walls due to the high level of humidity. The reason is that most of the water consumption in your garden (if you happen to own one) tends to seep through the earth and as your basement is located below ground level, it gets affected by the humidity of the soil around it. Another reason for why waterproofing cement if imperative for use when building a basement is because any leakages that may occur in your property above ground level will eventually seep through, down to your basement.

Handling Minor Leaks

If after taking all the precautions of a perfect finish and taking measure for damp proofing your basement you still notice damp patches appear, worry not. If the patches are not big and the damage is minor consider fixing it yourself before contacting a contractor. After all, a little DIY handiwork around the house never hurt anyone. Use patching compounds to seal any cracks that appear and if they happened to be large ones then opt for hydraulic cement. Quick to dry, it makes it easier for you to paint over it with waterproof paint so as to add an extra layer of protection.

When To Call A Contractor

In all fairness, any cracks that happen to be less than half an inch wide should be handled by you. The length, of course, is not a deciding factor. The same can be said about leaks. Unless the leak is persistent and occurs in large amounts, try to handle the situation by yourself. Calling a contractor as soon as you see signs of any minor leaks or cracks might just cost you way more than what it would, had you done it by yourself.

There are a few don'ts to take care of as well while waterproofing in basement. For instance, refrain from using fiberglass insulation. When used against concrete walls it traps moisture and does not allow water vapor to escape. Hence, over the passage of time you will notice the development of mold and damp patches wherever you used the fiberglass. The same can be said about below grade standard drywall. It will promote the outbreak of mold and is also prone to peeling very soon after application.