You can use your basement in so many different ways. You can make it a multimedia place so that you and your kids can relax and play video games or watch movies. If you are a single guy, you can make it a man cave. It can be a laundry room. You can use it as a storage area. You can even use it as an office. But before you do anything with your basement, you need to make sure it is waterproof.
You don’t want to wait too long, either. According to Bob Vila, you should seal up any cracks that are as small as 1/8 of an inch. If you don’t, you run the risk of moisture, soil-based gases, and bad smells permeating the area. You can save your nose and prevent mold by bringing in basement waterproofing contractors. Here’s what you can expect from the basement waterproofing process.
Starting Off With a Quote
Before any work is done, you’re going to need to reach out to local basement waterproofing contractors. First, you should explain your situation and the work you want to have done in the basement. They will probably ask quite a few questions. Be prepared to provide them with the dimensions of the basement, the condition it’s in, and any other particulars you may want to include. Once you’re on a contractor’s schedule, you’ll likely get a basement inspection followed by a quote for the waterproofing services your home would need.
While you may be able to get a general quote for their services over the phone, don’t consider it a hard-and-fast price. There are so many things that you could miss that the basement waterproofing contractors will pick up on. A crack in the wall could be caused by something completely different from what you may have expected. So be prepared for there to be a difference between the phone estimate and the final written estimate.
The Initial Basement Inspection
A lot of waterproofing companies know that it can be hard to set something up during the week since it can be difficult for you to get back home from work in time to meet the inspector. That is why they typically also have weekend availability. You might have to wait a bit depending on how busy they are — other people will likely have the same idea about having someone come on a weekend. You should do a bit of shopping around and learn more about the companies in your area that have good reviews. This way, you can schedule inspections with multiple basement waterproofing contractors.
The person or people who do the inspection will be trained to look around and find what needs to be done to make your basement waterproof. They will also ask you questions while they are doing this to help gauge the condition of your basement. Once they have finished the inspection, they will talk with you about what needs to be done and what kind of materials and services will work best for what your basement requires.
There are quite a few things that will factor into the inspection, such as the age of your home, how long you have lived there, whether water infiltration is a recurring problem with your basement, and whether the basement only has water seepage if there is a really heavy amount of rain. The time of year will also play a part in terms of what they can or can’t do.
You will likely get the estimate from the basement waterproofing contractors on the same day, though they may wind up sending it to you a day or two later. Make sure that you get everything in writing from them so that there can be no misunderstandings later on.
When should you pay for their services? Most of the time, you’ll put down a small amount for a deposit and then pay the rest when the job is all finished. If they want the money all upfront, then you should look into hiring another company.
The Basement Waterproofing Process
The most important thing to remember is that there are a lot of different situations that make each basement waterproofing job unique. This is why the inspection is so important; the basement waterproofing contractors will have to come up with a unique plan to get your basement set up the way that you want. It can take them up to an hour to come up with a price. The inspector will gladly answer any questions that you might have while they are readying the estimate. This is a great time to ask every question that comes to mind about what needs to be done with the basement.
A reputable basement waterproofing company will also work off a set pricing list. There shouldn’t be sudden shifts in the amount, which can then make you worry about your budget. Read the reviews of local basement waterproofing companies before you even initially contact them and avoid the ones where there are customers who say that they had prices change on them really quickly.
The equipment needed will range due to the condition of your basement while the waterproofing project is underway. They may need to incorporate sump pumps, drainage systems, dehumidifiers, windows, and other items, depending on what you need.
According to our contractors, the entire basement waterproofing process can take two days or longer. In general, the amount of time is subject to what kind of condition the basement is in the first place. Is there mold that needs to be dealt with? How stable is the foundation? All of these things need to be taken into consideration when doing the job. Fixing structural problems can add a significant amount of time to the original schedule.
Finishing Up the Project
When the basement waterproofing contractors have completed the job, they should walk you through everything that was done and what you can do to maintain it. Then they may call a few days later to see how things are going in the basement. If they offer a workmanship warranty, you can call them for support if anything goes wrong.
All of this may seem overwhelming, but if you have done your research properly, you should find a great local company to waterproof your basement. They’ll guide you through everything that your basement needs and explain what they are going to do using clear language. Throughout the process, you should feel like you have a clear understanding of what’s going on and what to expect. Reputable contractors will also provide you with written work contracts and documentation and complete everything that they said they would do.
If anything happens to your basement in terms of water damage, you need to act fast. Otherwise, things can rapidly get worse and any mold or structural damage can put your health seriously at risk. Having professional basement waterproofing contractors come over should be a priority if water infiltration could be damaging your home’s foundation. With a dry basement, you will feel a lot more secure about the safety of your home.
Are you unsure about the state of your basement? Do you want to have experienced basement waterproofing contractors take a look and fix anything that is required down there? Reach out to our local basement waterproofing contractors at A-Proseal Basement Waterproofing & Concrete Lifting today to see what we can do to get your basement properly waterproofed!