How to Fix the Causes of Flooded / Wet Basement

There are various conditions that can make a basement unpleasant, but water in the basement is one of the most serious issues. Water in the basement, whether through leakage or a rusty basement window, makes the space unusable. Not only does a wet basement feel and smell nasty, it poses an excessive hazard to your home’s value. Left unchecked basement moisture can ruin floors and walls, encourage mold, even damage roofing. There is no surprise that a wet basement can make a house difficult or even impossible to sell. 

Very often the source of wet basement walls or a leaky basement is on the outside of the home, above the ground and easily repaired. You may find that improper roof seepage, improper ground slope, or even your neighbor's drainage may be causing your problem. The best thing is that not all wet or leaky basements need adding waterproofing or new foundation drainage systems as a solution. It can be fix by repairing the basement. Have a look-

Sources of Water Entering Basements

Beyond observable flooding around your home and in your neighborhood, there are some common sources of water entering basements:

• Surface water running down foundation walls.
• Groundwater in water-saturated soils being pushed into the basement by hydrostatic pressure.
• Storm sewer water from the municipal storm sewer system backing up into the home's existing perimeter foundation drain and leaking into the basement.
• Sanitary sewer water from a clog in your home's sewer line, the municipal sewer line, or the combined municipal storm/sanitary sewer system backing up into the home's drain system.
• Previous apparent flooding around your home and in your neighborhood.

 Review these following six steps:-

Get Rid of Extra Humidity

Removing the sources of humid air will help dry out your basement. Seal leaky dryer vents with foil tape to stop unwanted humid air from entering your basement. Don’t just utilize duct tape; it’ll eventually fall off. Add a vent fan to your basement bathroom. Keep your basement windows closed during humid weather. And if you’re still getting condensation on cool surfaces, run a dehumidifier to lower the indoor humidity.

Inspect for Cracks, Gaps and Damage

Water does not require a big opening, crack, or gap to get inside. Even a small hairline crack could enable water to flow into your basement. Not to mention, any hairline cracks in the foundation walls could become bigger after numerous freeze and thaw cycles. It is vital to seal any gaps or cracks in the foundation. If you notice other types of damages, like where there are chunks missing from concrete blocks, these also require repairs. Otherwise, the risks of your basement flooding will rise.

Review Gutters, Eaves and Downspouts

Leaves and other debris can get into gutters and eaves and clog downspouts. Any water overflow from the roof when it rains, or from snow as it melts, will not drain away from the home properly. Instead, the water can overflow and drain next to the home, along the foundation wall. Gutter and eave downspouts should be stretched far away from the home. There are extensions you can add to existing downspouts.

Waterproof the Walls

Waterproofing materials that go on like paint fill the pores in the concrete or masonry walls and prevent water from leaking in. To be effective, these coatings must be applied to bare concrete or masonry walls. The goal is to fill every pinhole to create a continuous waterproofing membrane. Brush the coating in all directions to completely fill every pinhole. Include a second coat after the first dries.

Install a Drainage System

The best permanent fix for chronic basement leaks is to install drainage tubing below the basement floor that’s linked to a sump basket and pump. You can install a system like this yourself, but breaking out the concrete floor, covering the tubing, and patching the floor is a lot of backbreaking work.

Final Thought

If you see indications of moisture in your basement, do not wait to do something about it. The longer the problem persists, the bigger and more costly the repairs will be. For more tips or help with your wet basement, contact us for best waterproofing solutions.