Top Five DIY Mistakes by Homeowners

With over 30 years of experience in the basement waterproofing business, we can easily say that we’ve seen it all. Surprisingly, the majority of these basement disasters could have been easily avoided if homeowners took the proper precautions. We’ve discovered that DIY enthusiasts seem to be the leading cause in basement flooding. Now we have come to let you in on a few key pieces of advice that will help you realize that when it comes to basement waterproofing, it’s better to leave it to the professionals.

DIY Mistake #1: Not Planning for Proper Draining. Many homeowners find it vital to finish their basement in order to maximize the use and square footage of their home. When laying down flooring in your basement it’s important to remember the importance of your basement floor drain. This drain will help if flooding occurs by leading water out of your basement. By laying flooring over the drain not only will your basement flood, but you will have to replace your flooring again and again.

DIY Mistake #2: Applying Waterproof Paint to Your Walls. Many homeowners see waterproof paint as a cheap, quick solution to covering their concrete walls. Unfortunately, waterproof paint can actually cost you more in the long run. After painting your concrete walls, the lime in the concrete will grow efflorescence in between the wall and the paint. Then the paint will bubble and flake off. The newly exposed concrete wall provides a prime opportunity for moisture to find its way back into your basement. Don’t waste your money on this seemingly fast fix.

DIY Mistake #3: Pouring a Concrete Cove. In unfinished basements, moisture can occur in the cove: the area where the basement wall meets the floor. DIYers have been known to pour concrete in this area to avoid any moisture from occurring. There are a few problems with this method. First, a concrete to concrete patch rarely creates a waterproof barrier. Secondly, the concrete covering leads to increased hydrostatic pressure in the saturated ground outside of the basement. Increased pressure leads to cracks and other structural
problems.

DIY Mistake #4: Underestimating Costs. Finishing or renovating your basement can be an expensive process. Between labor, materials, and other costs, the bills can seem to stack and stack. And, as tends to be the case, most projects tend to cost more than originally expected. Just remember that by finishing or upgrading your basement, you are making a strong investment in your home that is sure to add value. When completed, this process will provide an increase in square footage of your house as well as the amount of money your home is worth.

DIY Mistake #5: Overestimating Your Skills. Everyone wants to take pride in their home. You’re good at lots of things, for sure, but just be cautious when taking on a renovation project. Remodeling and/or renovating your basement is a project that can come with many unforeseen problems and dangers. Be sure to do your homework, properly plan, and if there’s a job that seems a little too much for you to handle and that’s what your gut is telling you, don’t ignore it!

With over 30 years of basement waterproofing experience, Ameri-Dry offers patented, permanently dry systems that are backed by a full lifetime warranty. For more information about Ameri-Dry and Ameri-Dry Guy, visit (www.keepamericadry.com), follow Ameri-Dry on Facebook or Twitter.