Water ingress in the basement is a common issue that many Australian households face. The trick to ensuring that this problem does not affect the structural integrity of your home or compromise your health and that of your loved ones is to catch signs of water infiltration early so that waterproofing measures can be put into place to prevent further ingress. Some of the signs to be wary of include a pervasive musty smell coming from your basement, efflorescence on the basement walls, warped or rotting wood structures and suspicious cracks on the walls.
The common mistake made by some homeowners is thinking that watching online tutorials will make them adept at embarking on basement waterproofing on their own but this is a gross misassumption. Irrespective of how good you think you are with your hands, here are a few convincing reasons why basement waterproofing should never be undertaken by an amateur.
A high risk of injuries and property damage
One of the leading reasons why you should leave basement waterproofing to the professionals is to avoid any undue injuries to yourself and your loved ones, as well as the threat of extensive damage to your house. What some amateurs do not realise is that waterproofing projects warrant the digging up of a trench around the perimeter of the property. This trench is supposed to reach the depth of the basement so that the professionals can access the basement walls.
If you do not have the knowledge and expertise to embark on this project, the trench can collapse in on itself while you are inside it, and this can result in serious injuries. Moreover, you could end up damaging your home's foundation in the process of digging the trench, which would mandate foundation replacement. A licensed professional will not only keep your property safe but will also ensure that no bystanders are at risk of harm during the waterproofing process.
The potential to make the situation worse
The main reason why homeowners would elect to take on this task on their own in the first place is to save money. However, the reality is that you will likely end up spending much more on a DIY project than when you hire professionals for a couple of reasons. For starters, waterproofing is not undertaken by a one-size-fits-all approach. Different houses will have varying needs so, more often than not, a DIY kit will not suffice.
Instead, professionals need to come and inspect your home to determine why it is experiencing water ingress so they can know what sealants would be best suited to this project. Secondly, DIY waterproofing does not provide you with a warranty. Hence, if this problem is to arise again, you will still need to pay professionals to come and address the issue.
