Why Is Water Coming Into My Basement After Heavy Rain?
Have you noticed water coming into your basement during heavy rain? You might be noticing damp spots on the walls or floors, or in extreme cases, puddling and flooding.
Managing the water around your home plays a big role in protecting your home’s foundation and keeping your basement dry all the time.
Common Causes of Basement Leaks
Hydrostatic Pressure
This is the force exerted by water against your basement walls. Because basement walls are porous, the pressure will push water through the walls into the basement.
Over time, this pressure can result in foundation bowing or cracks, allowing more water in and creating bigger problems.
Incorrect Grading
If the soil around your home is sloped toward your foundation, water will run toward your home instead of away from it.
Failure of Footing Drains
When footing drains fail, which is often, the soil outside the foundation cannot drain. The surrounding soil becomes saturated, increasing hydrostatic pressure and pushing water into the basement.
Ineffective Gutters and Downspouts
Your gutters and downspouts play a major role in managing the water around your home’s foundation.
Clogged, overflowing, or absent gutters allow roof runoff to dump right next to your home’s foundation.
Common Symptoms of Leaky Basements
- High humidity or damp air
- Musty odors
- Sticking doors and windows
- High energy bills
- Irritation of asthma and allergies
- Buckling hardwood floors
What Happens if I Don’t Fix My Wet Basement?
Leaving a wet, leaky basement untreated can lead to much bigger problems over time than what you’re already experiencing.
Water will continue to put pressure on your foundation, which can lead to cracking, shearing, or bowing basement walls. This structural damage is much more costly to repair than addressing the water issue early.
Moisture increases the humidity levels of your home, making it more difficult to maintain a comfortable environment in the house. This leads to higher energy bills, increased wear and tear on your HVAC system, and ongoing comfort issues such as cold floors and drafts.
Excess moisture can result in mold, buckling wood floors, and ultimately irritate occupants with asthma or allergies, humans and furry family members alike.
What if you want to sell your home? You will have to pay to fix that wet basement for the new homeowners or lose money on the property when you sell. Addressing the issue now protects your home and preserves its value.
How to Fix a Wet Basement
The right solution can be different for every home. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the best approach is not always exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing systems can be expensive, damaging to landscaping, and don’t often address the problem as effectively as interior drainage systems.
Addressing water infiltration by managing it from inside the home can create a permanent solution, keep your basement dry all the time, and allow you to finish the space, adding valuable square footage to your home without worrying about leaks.
The Drying Company’s Basement Waterproofing Solution
The Drying Company’s interior drainage solution utilizes a system called WaterGuard.
This system requires minimal excavation along the perimeter of the basement and a lateral line where necessary.
A liner is installed on the walls; this directs any water that seeps through down into the drainage system and allows you to finish the basement walls without worrying about them getting wet.
The drain track is installed and directed to a sump pump. The trench is then recovered with cement and smoothed, restoring the floor and leaving you with a clean, dry basement.
When Should You Have Your Basement Inspected?
Any time you notice water in your basement is a good time to have a professional take a look.
Look for signs of:
- Water stains or discoloration
- Efflorescence on walls or floors
- Damp air or musty odors
- Signs of mold or microbial growth
All of these are good indicators that you are likely to have a moisture or water problem in your basement that needs to be addressed.
Schedule A Free Basement Evaluation
The Drying Company offers free, no-obligation inspections for homeowners dealing with wet basements.
Our team will evaluate your home’s water management systems, look for signs of infiltration, and recommend solutions designed specifically for your home.
