A strong and stable foundation is key to protecting your home, but many homeowners overlook one important step – sealing the foundation. Whether building a new house or maintaining an older one, sealing your foundation offers numerous benefits, from preventing water damage to keeping pests out.
This article explores why sealing your foundation is essential and how it can safeguard your home from common issues like mould growth, structural damage, and more. If you need clarification on whether your foundation needs sealing, we’ll also cover the signs to watch out for and when to take action.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Sealing your foundation protects your home from water damage, mould growth, and structural issues. It prevents moisture from seeping in, reduces the risk of foundation cracks and settling, improves energy efficiency, and keeps pests out.
Look for signs like cracks, water stains, musty smells, or efflorescence on your basement walls to know if your foundation needs sealing. This preventative measure will safeguard your home, preserve its value, and reduce the need for costly repairs.
Benefits Of Sealing Your Foundation
Sealing your foundation is an investment that provides a wide range of benefits. Whether you want to protect a new home or maintain an older one, waterproofing your foundation offers long-term protection and peace of mind.
Here’s a detailed look at the advantages:
1. Preventing Water Damage
Water intrusion is one of the leading causes of foundation problems. Sealing your foundation can stop water from entering your home, protecting it from costly water damage.
- Prevents water from seeping into your basement or crawlspace: A sealed foundation keeps moisture out, preventing dampness from accumulating in these areas.
- Reduces the risk of basement flooding during heavy rainfall: Heavy rain can cause water to pool around your foundation, but sealing keeps this water at bay.
- Stops standing water from damaging foundation walls: Water left around your foundation can weaken the walls over time. Sealing helps direct water away, avoiding structural damage.
- Protects stored items in your basement from water damage: A dry basement allows you to safely store valuables without worrying about water ruining them.
- Maintains the resale value of your home: Homes with a history of water damage lose value; sealing your foundation helps preserve its worth.
2. Stopping Mould Growth
Mould thrives in damp environments, and a wet basement is the perfect breeding ground for it. Sealing your foundation can significantly reduce moisture, making it harder for mould to grow.
- Lowers humidity levels that encourage mould growth: By keeping your basement dry, mould has fewer chances to take hold.
- Prevents health hazards caused by harmful mould spores: Sealing keeps dangerous mould, such as black mould, from developing in your home.
- Creates a healthier environment for your family: A dry basement means fewer allergens and health risks associated with mould exposure.
- Eliminates musty odours from mould and mildew: Moisture and mould often produce unpleasant smells, which sealing can help reduce.
- Keeps walls and floors free from mould stains: Sealing protects your basement surfaces from the unsightly effects of mould growth.
3. Protecting Structural Integrity
A solid foundation is essential for your home’s structural integrity. Over time, water can weaken this foundation, leading to serious and expensive issues.
- Stops cracks in foundation walls from expanding: Sealing prevents water from getting into existing cracks and worsening them.
- Reduces the risk of foundation settling or wall warping: Excess moisture can cause the soil under your home to shift, leading to structural problems. A sealed foundation helps prevent this.
- Protecting your foundation from water helps avoid costly repairs related to foundation damage. It also reduces the likelihood of needing expensive structural fixes in the future.
- Improves energy efficiency by eliminating air leaks: Sealing your foundation also prevents air from escaping, helping you save on heating and cooling costs.
- Increases the lifespan of your foundation: Regular maintenance, including sealing, ensures your foundation remains strong for years to come.
4. Keeping Pests Out
Moisture attracts not only water problems but also pests. Sealing your foundation can help prevent unwanted insects and rodents from entering your home.
- Closes cracks and gaps that allow pests to enter: Even tiny cracks can be an open invitation to insects and rodents. Sealing stops them from getting in.
- Reduces the number of pests that thrive in damp environments: Many pests are drawn to moisture, and a sealed foundation makes your home less appealing to them.
- Prevents damage caused by pest infestations: Sealing your foundation helps protect your home from the structural damage pests can cause.
- Creates a more sanitary living space: Keeping pests out means fewer health risks and a cleaner home environment.
- Lowers the need for pest control services: With fewer entry points for pests, you’ll likely spend less on extermination services.
Key Signs You Need To Seal Your Foundation
Do you need help determining if your foundation needs sealing? Look for these signs of water damage or structural problems that indicate it’s time to take action.
1. Cracks In The Foundation
Cracks are a common sign that your foundation may need sealing. Even small cracks can allow water to enter, leading to bigger issues.
- Visible cracks in walls or floors are entry points for water: Sealing can prevent water from getting in if you see cracks in your foundation.
- Cracks wider than 1/8 inch should be professionally sealed. Large cracks are more serious and may require expert attention.
2. Water Stains
Water stains on your basement walls or floors indicate that moisture is leaking through the foundation. This is a clear sign that your foundation needs sealing.
- Discoloured or stained areas on walls signal moisture intrusion: If water stains appear, it’s time to inspect your foundation for weak points.
- Stains after heavy rain suggest water penetration: Watermarks that appear after storms or snowmelt indicate water is getting through your foundation.
3. Musty Smells
Moisture and mould can often cause a damp, musty smell in your basement. Sealing your foundation can help eliminate the source of this odour.
- A musty smell indicates excess moisture or mould: If your basement smells damp, it’s a sign that moisture is getting in.
- Sealing can reduce moisture and eliminate odours: Waterproofing your foundation can eliminate musty smells and prevent mould growth.
4. Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a white, powdery substance left on walls when water evaporates and leaves mineral deposits behind. This is a sign that water is passing through your foundation.
- The white, powdery residue is a sign of water penetration: If you see efflorescence on your walls, water is getting in.
- Waterproofing can stop this and prevent further damage: Sealing your foundation will help stop water from entering and causing efflorescence.
Conclusion
Sealing your foundation is critical in protecting your home from water damage, mould growth, structural issues, and pests. Keeping moisture out safeguards your home’s integrity, improves energy efficiency, and maintains its resale value.
Additionally, sealing your foundation prevents costly repairs in the future and creates a healthier living environment for your family. If you notice signs like cracks, water stains, musty odours, or efflorescence, it’s time to take action and ensure your foundation is properly sealed.
FAQs About Sealed Foundation
Does Foundation Need To Be Sealed?
A concrete foundation is generally not sealed. Although a concrete wall gets wet, water doesn’t pool on it like on flat work, so it doesn’t need sealing as much. After the concrete has been poured and cured, adding a sealer helps protect it from future damage, corrosion, and stains.
What Is The Australian Standard For Waterproofing?
According to Australian Waterproofing Standards AS 3740, all shower floors and walls must be waterproofed at least 1800mm. All other walls, such as the laundry wall, must be waterproofed up to 150mm.
Do I Need To Waterproof My Foundation?
Ideally, the exterior walls of a basement should be waterproofed during construction. Newer construction mandates this procedure because of many state and local building code requirements, but many older homes may not have any exterior waterproofing in place.
What Are The 4 Steps To Waterproofing?
4 Steps for Waterproofing Pools
- Smooth the Substrate.
- Clean the Substrate.
- Apply the Waterproofing Membrane.
- Test for Leaks.
What Should You Do Before Waterproofing?
- Clean The Substrate
- Examine The Surfaces To Be Waterproofed
- Prepare The Surfaces
- Check And Renovate The Joints And The Wells
- Proceed to waterproof the joints and drains