Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, the words “wet basement” is equally likely to conjure up your worst fears. From the smell of damp concrete to the monstrous sounds of summer thunderstorms, you understand the horrors associated with a wet basement. Maybe the thoughts of having to clean out the dirty, swampy water and getting rid of destroyed items that you had stored in the basement frustrates you to no end. 

What if a wet basement became something that you never have to deal with again? That’s right, a dry, clean basement is something that you should imagine in your home. You can use it for a lot more than just storage. If you install a few upgrades such as encapsulation, you will be able to add a substantial living space to your home. Not only is a dry basement one less thing to worry about, but it can help you enhance the resale value, stability, and strength of your home.

It is a myth that waterproofing can only be done in the summers. By getting the tough job out of the way during the winters, you can enjoy numerous benefits in addition to preparing for the summers.

In this article, let us cover the top 5 reasons why you should waterproof your basement this winter.

Preparation is the Key

If you have experienced a wet or even a damp basement earlier, you already know that it is only a while before the problem resurfaces. By waterproofing your basement, you can spare your home and yourself the trouble you endured in the past. You will never have to worry about the dangers of flooding. With handyman services in NYC available round the clock, waterproofing your basement has never been more straightforward. If you get it done during the winters, you are essentially protecting your home against any stray water that comes from spring rains and melting snow.

Waterproofing your home during the winters means that you will be completely free to enjoy the spring warmer weather. You can easily spend your days outside in the sun, perhaps grilling on the patio without worrying about the water that needs to be pumped out of your basement. When rainy days come rolling, you can relax indoors knowing that your basement will remain dry and clean.

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Winter Soil is Often Drier than Summer

When you live in a city such as New York, you know that winters are normally the driest seasons of the year. Apart from snow, there is very little rainfall that makes the soil comparatively drier. Since there is a particularly less amount of water in the ground from December to February, the lack of moisture helps you in making a clean installation. It will even make your home drier. Most NYC handyman services will treat your home with tremendous respect. But when the soil is drier, it means that your contractors have to spend less time cleaning up after.

Lower Humidity Helps in Removing Any Mold That Might Have Collected in the Basement

Since winter is one of the driest seasons in NYC, there is very little humidity in the air. This low humidity makes it a good time for you to get rid of any mold that might have been manifesting in your basement. Mold loves to make damp, dark places its home, and it can be tricky to get rid of entirely. But when you use a drier season to treat any mold, you can be sure that it is not blooming biologically. This means that your mold treatment will be considerably more effective. Not to mention how much you will save since your contractor will need very less product to take care of it. You also need to remember that when you waterproof your basement immediately after a mold treatment, you are prolonging the life of the treatment. When your basement will be completely dry, mold will not be able to find a way to grow and reproduce.

Waterproofing Will Reduce the Overall Amount of Stress of Your Foundation

Most foundational cracks are commonly found due to enhanced hydrostatic pressure. This hydrostatic pressure transpires when there is a lot of water in the soil all around your foundation. This excess water gets collected and pushes against your foundation. These pushes cause a strain on your foundation and eventually create bows or cracks. The damage done by these cracks can lead to significant water leaks in your basement, which can be even harder to take care of. If the water damage in your foundation gets out of hand, not only will you need to pay a lot more to get it repaired, but you even might have to tear down your house. 

A properly installed water drainage system can help you in preventing any flooding in your basement. It can also relieve the foundation of your home of any excess hydrostatic pressure. During the winters, you will have to worry about any water that freezes in the soil around your foundation. This frozen water can create adfreezing or frost heaves. These are yet another way for water to weaken your foundation and cause it to develop a crack. As the seasons change, the winter snow can create large gaps in your basement, while the spring rains can offer to push water through these cracks.

When you waterproof your basement, you will have to either clean or install an efficient water drainage system. When you get it done during winters, it lets you be prepared for this seasonal cycle. Obviously, once the ground thaws, you might need to get the cracks in your foundation repaired, but these come out to be significantly lower.

Conclusion

As you might be wondering, winter is not one of the most popular times round the year to waterproof your basement. However, you can use this fact to your advantage. If there is lesser demand, the chances are that you can even get 24/7 plumbing service in NYC at your disposal. Since contractors have more openings this time of the year, you won’t have to wait for long. This added convenience helps you focus on other important things like family.

Interested in waterproofing your basement to better your Houston home? Contact us at the Hays NYC to learn more about how to protect and enhance your basement today.