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Basement Wall Sealer

Posted February 18th, 2010. Filed under Family Home

If you’ve noticed a white powdery substance on your basement walls, it may be time to check for water damage. The white powder is actually a discharge that if left unchecked, can easily spread and grow across weakened concrete over time. This is caused by water seepage; water reacts with the alkalinity of concrete and results in weakening, cracks, and crumbling apart from the inside. Any amount water can have this effect on your basement walls and depending on where you live, it’s a good practice to learn more about basement wall sealers.

What other effects does water have on basement walls? When water seeps through foundations and into a basement, it creates a humid and moist environment. Many homeowners try to combat this with dehumidifiers and air conditioners in an attempt to prevent the basement smells and vapors from making it into other areas of their house. A dehumidifier is only a temporary solution, although without one mold, mildew, and other substances can make their way into your home.

Most water that you encounter in your basement will likely be due to rainfall or snow melting. If your gutters become clogged with leaves or other debris, the water may fall from your roof and pool around the foundations of your home, easily seeping into your basement. Despite it’s solidity, concrete is porous to come extent, and becomes more so as it ages. Aging concrete allows more water to seep through, and the situation gradually worsens.

Basement wall sealers are particularly effective in preventing the seepage and dampness associated with water, and can serve as an effective preventative measure. This process both hardens and strengthens the concrete walls, reducing moisture and the possibility of cracking as well. Some can prevent mold growth on masonry block, pre-cast and poured interior concrete structures and crawl spaces, reducing contamination of fungi, eliminating odors, and minimizing allergies.

A basement wall sealer is effective in combating the dampness, rust, stains, musty odors, condensation, as well as slow water seepage and structural damage. Here are a few other tips to avoid a water-logged basement:

* Clean out your rain gutters regularly from leaves, debris, and snow.
* Grow grass instead of flowers and shrubs around your foundations to soak up moisture.
* Consider getting a sump pump to relieve water pressure.

The most effective thing you can do to prevent basement moisture and problems is to invest in a basement wall sealer, as that’ll protect your home for a long time and save you money on possible basement repairs you’d encounter in the future.

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