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Basement Waterproofing questions, answered by experts

It depends on what caused your basement flooding, the extent of the problem, and the risk of the flood continuing. If your flood is coming from a septic system or sewer line, breathing in the sewer gasses can be dangerous, so you should vacate. If the flood occurs from an ongoing natural disaster, relocating to a safe area might be wise. If you just have a plumbing leak or rainwater coming in, you can likely stay in the house if you don’t have electrical lines down there, but make sure you call in professionals to fix the issue immediately.

Water can seep into porous materials like wood beams, floor joists, and roof rafters within minutes, but they’ll need to see prolonged exposure before you have structural damage. Mold can start growing within 24 hours, and mold can eat away at the structural components over time. Wood rot is more of a concern, though. Wet and dry rot are fungal infections that set in in moist conditions and rapidly deteriorate wood, causing major structural damage within just a few months in some cases.

In nearly all cases, you are required to install a vapor barrier in your crawl space. However, local regulations will change based on the local climate and the crawl space's susceptibility to moisture. Even if a vapor barrier is not legally required, it is often a good idea to keep your crawl space dry.

Make sure you're calling in the right expert to help repair and/or clean your crawl space. A serious issue may require multiple experts that include a local mold remediation pro, an HVAC pro, a foundation pro, and a plumber. You should also consider using a nearby junk removal service to avoid handling debris that could be covered in mold, fungi, rot, or asbestos.

Typically, waterproofing a basement should last up to 10 years. However, it’s worth noting that with proper maintenance and depending on the waterproofing method and installation quality, you can probably squeeze another decade out of it.

The Au Train, MI homeowners’ guide to basement waterproofing services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.