The Most Common Wet Basement Issues
The cost of waterproofing a home or other building structure is typically a larger job and quite expensive. A waterproofing contractor usually has a desire to sell you a waterproofing system, and typically will not share the most common wet basement issues that are leading to the wet basement in the first place, even if you don’t really need a waterproofing system.
There are many remedies that anyone can perform to improve their wet basement situation before they have to consider large and expensive waterproofing jobs. These improvements should be considered, even if they do not completely solve all of your dampness problems, because they will ultimately contribute to a dry or dryer foundation, which will also reduce the potential for:
- Foundation wall damage;
- Mold growth;
- Wood rot;
- Pests or Wood destroying insects.
Most homeowners can make these corrections themselves! Keep scrolling for the most common wet basement issues and often affordable fixes to your leaky foundation.
- By: Daniel Gibson
Well, I can tell you how. A recent Wet Basement Inspection Revealed large and obvious defect leading to foundation wall damage and a leaky basement.
I want to share a recent inspection and give my suggestion for what to do first when you see water coming into your basement.
Here it is:
- There are many obvious clues that will tell if water is not draining properly, or pooling around your house.
- There are many obvious clues that will tell if water is not draining properly, or pooling around your house.
- Make sure to look below the front porch or the back deck, or any other structure that is attached to, or near the house.
- By: Daniel Gibson
Even though foundation damage repairs had been performed, no one addressed the cause of the water leakage into the basement and the foundation wall movement in the first place.
- Foundation damage repairs were previously performed on the basement walls, but the walls are still leaking during heavy rains.
- Flat or reversed grade and improperly pitched concrete patio pad have led to basement and crawlspace leakage.
- The issues were still not addressed after the foundation wall repairs and water intrusion was still an issue.
- By: Daniel Gibson
Gutters can become blocked with debris over the years which can clog the gutter run and allow rainwater to overflow the gutters during heavy or severe rains. This overflowing water can accumulate against the foundation walls of the home and eventually leak inside of the walls.
- Gutters typically need to be cleaned after the fall, when all of the leaves have fallen from the trees.
- Trimming back trees and installing gutter guards is a means of control gutter debris and blockages.
- Roof shingle granulation can also fall from the roof into the gutters and eventually wash down into the downspouts, which also causes gutter backups.
- By: Daniel Gibson
Downspouts that discharge above the ground around the house need to extend far enough away from the foundation walls of the home so as not to make the basement or crawlspace walls damp or wet.
- Corrugated downspout extensions perform better than splash blocks.
- Extenders should never pour water out onto concrete walkways to avoid a slippery hazard for pedestrians during the winter time.
- Downspout extension tubes can easily become detached if not installed properly.
Dampness and humidity can be a problem in basements during the wet months of the year. Mainly from the spring to summer months, or March thru Sept. A dehumidifier and vapor barrier style basement wall paint are two ways to mitigate heavy condensation and dampness in a basement.
- Drylock paint is a thicker paint for unfinished block walls of a basement to prevent water from seeping in through the foundation walls.
- Drylock style paint only resists water pressure up to 12 psi. This is to say it will only prevent water from easily seeping through the block. It will not stand up against heavy water leakage on walls, or prevent water from seeping in at the basement floor.
- Dehumidifiers are a great idea for basements to prevent mold growth and musty odors in the nooks and crannies of the basement. Prevent stale air from residing in cabinets, closets, or behind stored objects.