There are several reasons homeowners choose to seal their basements. Key reasons can include:

• Existing excess moisture: Musty smells, peeling paint, rust, dampness, mildew, and mold are all signs that too much moisture is accumulating in your basement.
• Livability: If you would like to extend your home’s living space to your basement, it is important to seal the space first.
• Protection: The best time to seal your basement is before any damage has been created by excess moisture.

What Causes Damp Basements

When basements become too wet, it is usually due to inadequate drainage. This may not be apparent in normal circumstances, but combined with other factors, improper drainage can lead to serious damage. Factors can include:

• Precipitation: During a heavy rainfall or melting snow in the spring, the onslaught of water often overwhelms faulty drains.
• Defective gutters: When gutters become old, clogged, or were not properly installed to begin with, it creates an additional burden on drainage systems. Instead of being pushed away from the home, water collects around the base of the foundation.
• Yard slopes: Lawns that slope toward houses carry a downward flow of water, creating a “perfect storm” of flooding during heavy precipitation.
• Ineffective drainage systems: Some drainage systems, such as French drains and tile drainage, are not well equipped to keep moisture out of your home.

Why “Doing it Yourself” Isn’t the Answer

When your basement floods or shows other signs of insufficient drainage, it may be tempting to resort to DIY methods to fix the problem. Although this may seem like the simplest and most frugal option, this approach – when not administered by a professional – often ends up being a waste of your time and money.

To save yourself the headache and futility of trying to fix a basement moisture problem, think twice before purchasing one of the following:

• Crack injection kits: While these kits are very effective when the right injection system is used, choosing and applying the right product should be left to a professional.
• Paint products: Painting over unsightly mildew or water stains may provide a temporary “fix,” but it doesn’t repair the underlying problem. The stains will eventually show through again, creating more work.
• Crack putty: Another temporary solution, crack putty is not strong enough to withstand a shifting foundation.

How Intech Anchoring Can Renew Your Basement

Wet basements are burdensome, but Intech Anchoring’s skilled team can help by installing the Hydraway Drainage System. Here is how Hydraway works:

1. Intech supplies white panels made of a durable, peel-proof material
2. Drainage components are installed, forming a protective barrier around your home and keeping water out. Hydrostatic pressure and water leakage are no longer concerns once the system is in place.

Choosing Intech Anchoring to seal your basement will help stop wetness at its source, resulting in a more comfortable and livable home. To schedule a consultation and discover how Hydraway can benefit you, fill out our contact form.