One of your home-related concerns should be to maintain your basement floor. If you fail to maintain it, it could lead to structural damage that can lead to costly repairs. Maintaining it does not need to be glamorous as your kitchen but make sure to keep the basement dry to avoid problems later on.
If you don’t keep a check on some things, it will lead to a damp basement which favors the growth of fungus, mold, and mildew. Besides damaging the area, it’ll cause health problems for your family like allergies and asthma.
Here are some habits you can adopt to keep your basement in the best condition.
Clean Gutters Every Autumn
Make sure to deep clean the gutters, especially during the autumn and windy season. Gutters often get clogged by leaves. Before the cold begins, clear the gutter and downspouts of any leaves and debris and make sure that they are in a proper position.
After cleaning, run a test to check if the pipes are cleared out. Run the water inside the pipe and see if it flows smoothly. Also, check that the bottom of the downspouts is turned away from the foundation so that the water does not pool against the walls of your home. If leaks in the basement are a constant problem then you call in foundation repair services.
Check the Landscaping
Most homeowners love having a beautiful garden to grow vegetables and flowers in the front yard. But if landscaping is not done properly, it can cause water to accumulate near the home foundation. This can damage the walls of the basement.
When you water your plants, check that extra water does not pool around the area. One way to do this is to put rocks around the exterior wall of the basement. It will help absorb any water before it reaches the basement.
Use Water Resistant Paint
Even if you take measures to keep water away from the basement, you will have to deal with some humidity specially if the area is not aired. So it is best to use water-resistant paint for your basement walls.
Water-resistant paint will repel any humidity and remain dry regardless. If you use regular paint, it can easily absorb water and it will start wearing off.
Insulate the Pipes
Make sure that the cold pipes that run through the basement are properly insulated. If not insulated, the difference in the temperature of the basement leads to water condensation over the pipes. The water from the pipes then starts accumulating in the basement.
You should avoid this situation at all costs and get the pipes insulated before the winter. Another benefit of getting the pipes insulated is that it leads to reduced energy bills.
Avoid Doing Laundry in the Basement
Since the basement is a hidden floor, many people prefer to do laundry on this floor. Even if you keep your washer and dryer in the basement, avoid drying the clothes. If you dry the clothes, the moisture from the clothes will accumulate inside the basement.
You can dry your clothes outside or use a humidifier in the basement to prevent excess accumulation of moisture.
