The snow melt and rainfall have been relentless this spring and summer, causing rivers to flood their banks and water to saturate the soil. And when the ground surrounding your house becomes over-saturated, the moisture can start to leak into your foundation and basement, causing all sorts of problems.

Waterproofing your basement can help you protect your home from water damage and expensive repairs. If you’ve noticed crumbling damage in your basement or foundation’s walls, or water stains or puddles on the walls and flooring, then your home has already received some damage and doesn’t have a waterproof basement.

If you already have damage, you probably will need to hire a professional company to excavate around your house and install exterior basement waterproofing. This can be expensive, but the process is designed to remove any hydrostatic pressure from around your basement walls – caused by a buildup of water in the soil surrounding your house – which can help to stop structural damage and prevent future leaking.

Research professional basement waterproofing companies in your area, and ask for free quotes from each company before settling on one to handle the work. Also ask the companies about their process for installing exterior basement waterproofing. Visit BasementWaterproofingPro.com for a listing of companies that handle this kind of work in your area.

Another option is a do-it-yourself process if you notice the walls in your basement leaking. But if you discover the repairs go beyond just cosmetically patching cracks or repairing minor dampness to make your basement look good again, that it’s recommended you hire a professional. Many different kinds of DIY kits are available, ranging from sealers and paints to plastic coatings and paper rolls.

When performing a basement waterproofing yourself, make sure you clean the walls thoroughly, because the waterproofing substance won’t appropriately soak into the walls if the wall is clogged with dirt. Also, repair any cracks or seal up any openings around widows, doors and pipes before applying the waterproofing solution.

Even if you don’t go into your basement on a frequent basis, you should monitor the walls and flooring for water damage. Left untreated, the damage could cause flooding, structural instability or even the build up of mold and mildew – causing health problems and a murky odor.

Check your basement walls and flooring today for signs of water damage – especially since the snow melt and rains have been especially prevalent this year across the nation.