Congratulations! Moving into a new home is an exciting chapter in someone’s life, and also a stressful one. There is a long list of things to do before the move: pack your belongings, get rid of anything you’re not taking with you, change your address, transfer insurance policies… it goes on! Basement waterproofing is likely at the bottom of the to-do list when preparing to move into a new home. In fact, we’d bet it’s not on the list at all. Many people don’t realize that the best time to waterproof your basement is before the move!
The Benefits of a Waterproofed Basement
Basement waterproofing is all about long term investments. Windsor-Essex is notorious for its heavy summer rainfalls, and flooding is a common issue the city and surrounding townships experience. A waterproofed basement will protect your belongings from flooding, maintain the structural integrity of your foundation, improve the health of your home, prevent mildew and moisture build up, increase the value of your home, makes the space a usable one for future renovations, and makes your home more energy efficient. There are plenty of blogs on the web that go into detail about this list, so we won’t go too deep here. The point is, waterproofing is an investment. When the heavy rains come, or you decide it’s time to move again, you will get a return on your investment.
Before Moving In: A Window of Opportunity For You
To be honest, most of our waterproofing jobs are done in homes where the owners are already moved in. It’s not the end of the world to waterproof your basement after you move in. But there is a shining window of opportunity here that is worth considering.
Let’s face it, moving in and unpacking takes a lot longer than we think. Once the house is liveable, homeowners are inclined to take a nice break from unpacking. Since waterproofing is normally at the bottom of the move-in list, it gets pushed back. Months go by. A year goes by with no issues. You begin to think, “You know what? This can wait. It’s already been this long.” You get the idea.
Yet, all that time you could have been reaping the benefits of having a waterproofed basement. Let’s quickly look at the average energy savings. On average, a waterproofed basement will save 15-20% on energy bills compared to a non-waterproofed basement. In Ontario, the average cost of electricity per month runs around 130 dollars. That’s $19.50 to $26 a month you could have been saving. After a year, it’s a minimum of $235.00. If you think about it, your sump pump gives you a free grocery trip per year. Not bad!
Before Moving In: A Window of Opportunity For Both of Us
While we do our best to keep the job sites as clean as possible, dust, dirt, and debris will fill the air. A basement already full of belongings is bound to get covered in dust, even with a negative air machine running and tarps laid down. Inevitably the homeowner will have to do a deep clean to get things back to normal, especially if the basement is finished and a demo is required.
As well, if no one is living in the house yet, no one should be required to be present at the house while we get the job done. Homeowners will often take the day or two off to be home when we are working in the basement. If no one is moved in, then you don’t have to worry about taking time to stick around. It all comes down to efficiency and convenience for both of us!
Let’s Add Basement Waterproofing to the Move-In List
Of course, we are glad to improve your home at any time, before or after moving in. We want you to be aware of the extra benefits waterproofing your basement before moving in presents on top of its inherent advantages for your home. The next time you are planning to move, take a look at the basement and see if it needs work. If it does, you’ll already be one step ahead of the game, and gain peace of mind long before you walk into your new home.
We at Supreme Basement Solutions offer only the best advice, solutions, and products to our customers, because we treat every home like our own. If you want to speak to an expert about more details, we encourage you to chat with us. Get in touch with us or call us at (519) 946-0363.