The old saying “Out of sight, out of mind” may work when it comes to that pile of laundry on the floor, but not when it comes to water leaks in your basement. In today’s blog we are discussing the dangers of quick fixes for water leaks in your home and why you should have the water leaks professionally evaluated and repaired. 

Common Quick Fixes for Water Leaks

Ignoring the Problem

The occasional damp musty smell, the mold staining of the walls, or even a small puddle here and there after a heavy storm…Many homeowners choose to ignore these signs and hope for the best. After all, it does not happen continually and it is definitely not flooding in the basement, right? We are sorry to say you are definitely wrong to ignore any signs of water damage happening in your home. Seen water is much better than unseen water! Your home is telling you there is a problem. Early intervention can save you time, money, and stress by having it addressed by professionals early. Don’t ignore the problem and hope for the best. 

Relying on Paint, Stains, and Sealants

Many homeowners believe that applying a paint, stain, or sealant over the problem area remedies the issue. While these quick fixes for water leaks may stop the moisture, the root of the problem is still there. When you consider the power of moving water versus a coat of paint, you realize these attempts will ultimately fail. It is better to have the root problem addressed by professionals early on than to try to hide the water leaks with a paint, stain, or sealant. 

Do-It-Yourself Fixes

We realize that the internet provides a wealth of information and a lot of do-it-yourself waterproofing tutorials. More often than not, well-intentioned homeowners go with a DIY waterproofing method that may only temporarily stop the water leaks. These DIY fixes may look simple online but many find that it is much harder work than anticipated. DIY fixes can easily overlook areas of your home that can allow water to invade also. 

There are 5 main areas that water can penetrate your home. Those areas include the gutters and downspouts, hydrostatic pressure build-up, seams in the foundation that leak, water intruding under the footer, and water seeping through a deteriorated waterproofing membrane.  Unless you are a professional, chances are you will overlook any of these areas when diagnosing the problem yourself. Having a professional waterproofing company evaluate your issues ensures you are treating the true source or sources of the water problem. 

The bottom line: DIY quick fixes for water leaks is a bad idea. Have your water problems professionally inspected and repaired. 

The Dangers of Quick Fixes for Water Leaks

Choosing to have your water problems evaluated and repaired by professionals is the best way to stop the problem for good. Quick fixes for water leaks may repair the tip of the iceberg but you don’t know what is lurking behind the visible water damage. Many homeowners that have chosen quick fixes over quality repairs have had it come back to bite them in the form of worsening damage and higher repair costs down the road. 

These quick fixes can have devastating effects when it comes time to sell your home. Water damage in a basement or crawlspace must be disclosed by law and can be a dealbreaker for some buyers. Academic studies show that past flooding events can drop a home’s value by 15% or more. Professionally repaired water damage along with waterproofing can negate this drop in price with warranties and receipts to show what work was done. 

At Aqua-Guard Waterproofing we specialize in dry. We also take pride in our work and offer a “Life of the Structure” guarantee. This guarantee stays with the home rather than the owner and guarantees that your home will be safe and dry from water damage. Making the choice to work with professional waterproofers over quick fixes for water leaks can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Contact us today for a free estimate and let’s get your water problems solved correctly the first time!