Why Your Basement Drainage System is So Important

When facing moisture problems, the best approach is to control the source of the moisture rather than try to stop it as a last line of defense. A modern basement drainage system is designed to capture water before it causes tremendous damage to your basement, and ultimately your home. It is unlikely to keep water issues under control in your basement without a proper drainage system, which becomes your only protection against basement flooding.

A wet basement is one of a homeowner’s worst nightmares. From a soaking basement to persistent leaks, water is no friend to your home. The consequences of a wet basement goes beyond the inconvenient mess and disruption of a household routine. Below are 4 major impacts of an improper drainage system.

• Health Issues – A chronically humid environment is linked to respiratory problems. High indoor humidity represents the perfect environment for mold growth, which is a potential trigger for respiratory disorders, such as COPD or asthma. Plus, high levels of moisture can also lead to an increase in typical air pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and more. All of these factors cause irritation of the lungs and throat, worsening the symptoms of asthma and increasing wheezing, nasal congestion, coughing, rhinitis, sneezing, or sore throat. A wet basement is the number one cause of wet home environments and the only way to prevent such problems is through a proper drainage system.

 

• Insurance Issues – Insurance companies are not happy with frequent occurrences of basement flooding and they take measures to protect themselves against overpaying. Therefore, you may experience an increase in insurance rates if you file basement flooding claims repeatedly. This can add to a significant increase in the minimum deductible. Another problem typical for homes that do not have a basement drainage system is the long-term damage to the building or equipment, which in most cases is not covered by insurance.

 

• Market Value – If you were a buyer looking for a nice home, what would you prefer? A home without a basement drainage system exposing you and your family to health issues and property damage or a home with a proper drainage system and a clear record of flooding? Even if you really liked the house and you still wanted to buy it, you would negotiate drastically because of the wet basement issues. Within this context, lack of a basement drainage system may cause property value to depreciate simply because the basement becomes prone to frequent flooding.

 

• Space issues – A wet basement is an underutilized space, no matter if you bought the home or built the home. You cannot store your assets in a wet basement because they will deteriorate and you cannot use the basement as a living space because it’s not a healthy environment. If you could renovate the basement to be utilized like a small apartment you could even rent it and make extra income. The basement is a perfectly utilizable space and the only thing that makes it useless is moisture. That is another reason why your basement drainage system is so important.

At ExpressRooter, we take basement drainage seriously. If you are experiencing any wet basement issues, contact the professionals immediately to explore your repair and waterproofing options.