10 Benefits of Using Waterproof Flooring In Your Homes
10 Benefits of Waterproof Flooring
Most people would answer that it is the floor. After all, you can drill and install a drain to handle surface water runoff. But keeping your basement dry and clean starts with choosing and installing the correct waterproof flooring system. A waterproof membrane on top of the floor finishes the job by protecting against any type of moisture penetration from below while creating an almost seamless transition between your finished space and your basement space.
Let’s look at 10 benefits of waterproof flooring:
1) Reduced risk of mold contamination:
Installers understand that if even one drop makes it under the membrane into the crawlspace or basement then you have just created an environment for mold growth. This new threat to your family’s health and well-being is simply not worth the risk.
2) Significantly fewer contaminants:
When you combine a waterproof membrane with a properly installed vapor barrier such as 6-mil poly (a strong plastic sheeting usually found in home improvement stores), you can create an effective system that will contain 99% to 100% of all surface water and virtually all moisture seepage from the ground below. But without the barrier, moisture and contaminants will find their way into your basement and inevitably onto your finished floor.
3) Peace of mind:
The peace of mind that comes from knowing that your finished space above grade is completely protected from groundwater infiltration or surface runoff is invaluable. You don’t have to worry about getting caught off guard with an unexpected gush of water in your basement.
4) Cleaner basement:
Basement floors, whether concrete or dirt, often contain contaminants such as oils and gasoline from stored automobiles. When rainwater penetrates the ground it is seeking the path of least resistance. If that path leads into your basement then you can end up with a contaminated floor that will be nearly impossible to clean effectively. With a waterproof membrane applied correctly you’ll not only see cleaner looking finished floors but they’ll stay cleaner longer between washings too
5) Aesthetics:
Waterproofing means no more visible dirt or water stains on your floor above grade or standing puddles of dirty water in your crawlspace below; a very good thing considering how unsightly these conditions can be. In addition, a waterproof floor will provide a clean, finished look to any basement room.
6) Fewer surface repairs:
Even if you have adequate drainage outside your foundation walls the slightest bit of water penetration through your existing or old flooring system will result in a constant cycle of small puddles and patches that waste tons of time and money. If you plan on doing any type of renovation work down the road, such as adding another bathroom or kitchen. Then you should seriously consider protecting your floor from moisture first so those expensive renovations aren’t complicated by leaks or wet basements later.
7) Protection for insulation:
In most climates where homes are built with crawlspaces, it is common practice to install insulation on the top of dirt floors in crawlspaces. This process makes perfect sense because heat rises, but when you combine it with a traditional flooring system that does not have a waterproof membrane then you create an environment where any moisture penetration will quickly find its way onto your basement insulation. This scenario can lead to mold growth which reduces the effective R-value of your insulation significantly.
8) Future code changes:
Many municipalities are now requiring builders to provide waterproof floor protection during new construction so they can better protect homeowners from flooding or groundwater seepage issues in their basements. If the city is coming out with these kinds of regulations then you know they must be serious about them because they can cost builders a lot of time and money. If you are buying a new home then it only makes sense to insist that this extra step gets taken care of before you sign on the dotted line because if your builder doesn’t do it then he’s going to have to charge you more later on down the road.
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