Simple Tips To Keep Your Northern Virginia Area Basement Dry

A wet basement in your Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware or South Central Pennsylvania home is more than a nuisance, it can be a health hazard as well. These tips to a dry basement can help save you time, money and even your health.

Perhaps the easiest way to keep your basement dry actually starts at the top of your house. Check your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are free from debris and other materials that may prevent them from working properly. If your home is not equipped with gutters and downspouts, consider making the addition to ensure water is directed away from your home rather than straight down the side of the house, which can lead to a wet basement.

Evaluate the landscaping surrounding your home and make sure trees, shrubs and other plants along the foundation do not foil proper drainage. While these landscaping items often improve the appearance of your home, tree roots can damage plumbing inside the home and the simple presence of shrubs and hedges can actually cause water to pool at the base of the house, leading to a wet basement.

A sump pump can make all the difference in your quest for a dry basement. The sump pump is a way to remove water that may accumulate in your wet basement – especially after heavy rains or snowmelt in the spring – and redirecting it outside.

Make sure your dryer vent is directed properly, assuming your dryer is located in your basement. When your dryer is installed, ensure it is properly vented outside the home to reduce moisture that often results in a wet basement.

An exhaust fan should also be used to remove excess moisture from accumulating in the basement. Proper exhaust techniques greatly reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growing in the basement, since mold thrives in dark, warm, damp areas typically found in a basement.

For more information on how to maintain a dry basement, contact the dry basement experts at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide. Serving all of Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware and South Central Pennsylvania, the basement waterproofing experts at Basement Waterproofing Nationwide can turn your wet basement into a dry basement using the latest techniques and products.