When you notice signs of water intrusion, cracks, or mildew growth in your basement, it can be easy to put off repairs until they become more serious and extensive. While delaying basement water repairs may seem tempting, it often results in higher repair costs, reduced home value, and even serious health risks to you and your family. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we have helped Chesterfield, MI, home and business owners find affordable solutions to basement water problems since 1975. Let’s explore the actual cost of ignoring basement water problems and how our local Chesterfield team can help you affordably address your basement water problems.
How Basement Water Problems Worsen and Become More Expensive Over Time
When you first notice the early warning signs of water intrusion into your basement, the cost of repair is at its most affordable price point. Minor hairline cracks in your basement walls, for example, can be affordably filled with a polyurethane filler in as little as 2 hours, preventing further water intrusion into your basement. If these cracks are not addressed early, they can lead to more serious foundation and water intrusion problems down the road, including:
- Bowing of basement walls
- Mold and mildew growth
- Drywall and flooring replacement
- Indoor air quality and safety issues
These repairs, which could have been prevented, can easily cost several thousand dollars and take much longer to complete than early preventative repairs. In the worst-case scenario, if a major storm comes through and floods your basement, you could be looking at many thousands of dollars in repairs and lost home value. At the first sign of a water problem or signs of damage to your basement, contact the professionals at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing for an inspection and affordable early intervention.
Impact of Basement Water Damage on a Home’s Value
While the average home appreciates by around 5% annually, homes with a leaky basement can expect a significant decrease in value when it’s time to sell. In Michigan, homeowners are required to disclose any known water issues with a home to potential buyers. Once a potential buyer knows a basement has water issues, it can lead to:
- Demands for repairs before closing
- Lower offers
- More extended time periods on the market
- Requests for further foundation and air quality inspections
If you’re looking to sell a home in Chesterfield, MI, and are experiencing problems with water intrusion into your basement, contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing today for an inspection and estimate on affordable repairs to maximize your home’s selling value.
Health Risks of Water Intrusion into Your Basement
Once water starts to make its way into a basement, mold and mildew growth can happen quickly in as little as 24-48 hours. Once mold starts to grow in a basement, it can be challenging to treat, with major mold problems often requiring treatments that can cost several thousand dollars. Mold is also a serious risk to human health and can cause issues like:
- Allergic reactions
- Asthma triggers
- Respiratory irritation
- Sinus infections
Preventing mold and mildew growth in your basement can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, especially if a minor crack simply needs to be filled, saving you thousands and eliminating health risks.
Home Insurance Coverage for Basement Water Intrusion
Typically, the majority of home insurance policies cover only sudden and unexpected damage to your home and not damage that is caused by neglect or negligence. If your water damage to your basement is caused by a sudden burst pipe, for example, you could expect your homeowners’ insurance to cover the cost of repairs. Water intrusion resulting from negligence and delay in repairs, on the other hand, will likely not be covered. Preventive and early basement repairs are an affordable solution to prevent more major repairs that homeowners’ insurance may not cover.
Get Affordable Basement Waterproofing Repairs in Chesterfield, MI from Tom’s Basement Waterproofing
If you’re struggling with basement water intrusion in metro Detroit, and are looking for an affordable and licensed repair provider, Tom’s Basement Waterproofing is here to help. Contact our team today at (586) 949-7826 for an affordable solution to basement and foundation problems in metro Detroit.
