Written by Bob McGuire on December 17th, 2008

Home value

You should know that the value of your home can be increased by up to 30% after waterproofing your basement.  A $200,000 home could be offered for $60,000 more.  You can figure your appreciation to be at least 4 times the cost of the repair.  If you are considering putting your home on the market, any water problems must be addressed first.

Several of our customers have gotten leaks fixed as soon as they appeared.  In these situations there was no collateral damage. Customers who waited a few years to get waterproofing done gave mold a head start.  There were black stains on the walls, floors, and moldings.  Furniture smelled, and carpet had to be removed. The mold smell had penetrated the rest of the house.  People do not like the smell of damp and mold.  You would have a very hard time selling a house that smells.  If a leak is caught early the carpet can be lifted up and a fan placed on it to dry it out quickly before mold grows.  If you have any moisture in your basement you need to use a de-humidifier, because humidity is heavy and sinks down the stairway, resulting in more dampness in the basement than upstairs.

If you are thinking about putting your home on the market, it is vital that all moisture problems be taken care of before the “For Sale” sign goes in the front yard.