Waterproofing is often an afterthought when it comes to home maintenance, when it should be viewed as one of the building blocks of your home. In the same way that you wouldn’t want a window without glass, you don’t want a home without waterproofing. 

Most homes are built with waterproof sealing in the areas where it’s needed. But without the proper upkeep, this waterproofing becomes ineffective. 

Keep reading to learn more about what happens when ignoring waterproofing, and why it’s so important for your home. 

What is Waterproofing?

Waterproofing is what we call the process of sealing the house against water and other external elements. The most popular waterproofing methods involve plastic or rubber materials being pressed or melted over gaps where water could get in. Other methods involve using metal sheets to reinforce seams around joints in your home. 

To learn more about the different elements of waterproofing, check out this article. 

What Areas Get Waterproofed?

The areas with the most waterproofing attention are the roof, doors and window frames. This includes the seams between exterior walls and the roof, any chimneys, air vents, and other roof structures. Basically, every outdoor seam should be reinforced against water and other elements you don’t want getting into your home. 

If you realise any of these areas in your home haven’t been waterproofed in a while, don’t panic! But it’s best to hire a professional waterproofer right away so they can get to work. 

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What Happens When Ignoring Waterproofing?

If you ignore your waterproofing, you’re going to run into trouble a few years down the line. As the waterproofing material gets older, it can start to crack, tear, or lift. This means small holes form, and water can now get through. And as time goes on, these leak areas get even bigger, making the problems even worse. 

But even if these leaks stay relatively small, they can cause serious problems. Excess moisture in your home increases the humidity and can provide life sustaining resources to bugs and other pests, leading to infestations. It also creates the perfect environment for mould to start growing, which can have consequences for your health. 

In more severe cases, this kind of water exposure can lead to structural damage. As water pools in certain areas, the material can become waterlogged. This is particularly common for wood. 

Once materials become waterlogged, they’re easily warped and softened, completely reducing the structural integrity. This means the materials can no longer support the weight they’re supposed to, which endangers your family and pets. 

The longer you leave the waterproofing without maintenance, the bigger the problem you’re going to have to fix. Not only will you have to pay to fix whatever is damaged, but you’ll also have to pay for new waterproofing and inspections. There is also usually an emergency fee for these services, which you’ll have to add to your bill. 

Avoid Costly Consequences of Ignoring Waterproofing

Waterproofing maintenance and inspections are a vital part of your home maintenance. While it might cost money in the short term, you’re saving yourself a lot of money in the long run. Without waterproofing maintenance, you’re inviting pests, mould, and structural damage into your home. 

Contact us for all your home improvement needs! We’ll put you in touch with some expert waterproofers to keep your home safe and dry.