How Teamwork Helps When Waterproofing a Basement
In order to achieve your goal of a dry basement, a little teamwork between you (the homeowner) and the basement waterproofing company that you end up hiring can go a long way. A real long way. We were all born with two ears and one mouth. And there’s good reason for that – good listening skills are one of the most important traits of a successful waterproofer.
When a waterproofing company arrives at your home, you assume they must be an expert. The truth is that some are, and some aren’t. The real experts are those who take the time to learn your unique basement seepage issues. This way you end up with a customized solution to fit your particular needs. Some companies don’t believe in that — they just want to give you a canned sales pitch and a one-size-fits-all solution. Rarely is that the best way to waterproof a basement.
Here are some helpful tips on how you can team up with a basement waterproofing company to achieve your goal of a dry basement:
1. A little history is needed. It begins with how long you have lived at your home and when the water problem started. If the problem just started, it’s important to determine what might have changed. Addressing these issues may help prevent additional problems in the future.
2. Make sure to follow the representative into your basement. Remember, this is probably the first time they have ever stepped foot in your house. And there’s a good chance they might not be there when it is raining. The more input you can provide, the better. Show them which wall(s) is leaking. Tell them how much water accumulates on your floor. A few inches of water in an isolated area tells a much different story than several feet. Whatever you do, don’t just let them make blanket assumption.
3. Go for a walk around the outside of the property. Here you are often able to see the causes of the problem, whether it is improper water management from the gutters and downspouts, or a clogged window well that caused your basement to flood. Identifying these causes may alleviate major problems down the road.
4. Share with your representative the goals for your basement. The obvious response is “I just want to stop the water from coming in”, but usually there’s more to the story. Are you getting ready to put your house on the market? You might want to read this article if you are! Are you considering finishing your basement? Answers to these questions should impact the proposed solution.
If you would like to get a further education, I suggest reading “What to Expect from a Basement Waterproofing Estimate”, written by my colleague Bob Weitzman.
There is no “I” in “TEAM” at U.S. Waterproofing. We’re all about doing the right thing.