Basements must be waterproofed for a variety of reasons, including cracks in walls, leaking windows, and pipe condensation. If there is too much water or the water is retained too long in basements, it can cause serious damage. Retained water can cause termites, dangerous mold, and foundation/structural degrading which all result in extensive and costly repairs. If you notice water accumulating in your basement after storms, you may want to contact a professional water damage restoration service such as DryPatrol. You can also find many DIY solutions on the website mybasementproject.com.