As the weather continues to become more extreme across the United States, homeowners need to take action to protect themselves and their families against both the financial and medical fallout. One of the biggest issues Americans will continue to face is excess precipitation that leads to flooded basements.
A flooded basement might not seem like that big of a deal — at least, not until it happens to you. The average homeowner will shell out $3,000 to $5,000 to have their basement repaired after a flood. Beyond the financial risks, you also need to consider what a wet basement will mean for your health. Black mold, long associated with everything from asthma to sudden death, can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after your basement gets wet.
Being proactive and taking advantage of modern home waterproofing can help you avoid both of these issues; however, you need to make sure the techniques you use don’t invite an equal amount of risk into your home. Here are three green techniques you can use to seal your basement, protecting your family and your wallet from injury in the future.
Three Green Techniques for the Homeowner Struggling with a Wet Basement
- Take Advantage of Water Catching Systems
- Opt for Non-Toxic Sealing Products
- Use Recycled Cement
As HomeAdvisor details, one of the most popular techniques for waterproofing basements doesn’t really have anything to do the basement. Instead, it’s all about capturing and redirecting water so that it never reaches your foundation. The greenest way to go? Installing a rooftop water catching system. These systems, as the name implies, catch water, storing it for use or redirecting it to better locations around your yard. The fact you get free water and a dryer basement from these systems makes them win-win.
Waterproofing your basement can be as simple as sealing foundation cracks. The last thing you want to do is use toxic sealers, sealers that can affect your health and harm the world around you. That’s why the U.S. Green Building Council so strongly suggests using non-toxic, eco-friendly sealers. They’ll get the job done, and you won’t have to worry about your health as a side-effect.
Since it’s basically just a slurry of stone, few people consider the environmental implications of using cement. The problem with cement is that it requires mining to get the stones and a lot of energy to grind that stone down into pulp. By using recycled cement, you cut out a lot of that energy usage, making your basement sealing project that much greener.
Keep in mind, if you can’t manage to seal your basement by yourself, whether from a lack of time, money, or ability, then there are professional basement waterproofing services out there waiting for your call. Just be sure to ask them if they provide green methods to seal your basement, ensuring you protect the environment and everyone who lives in your home.