Discovering water in their basement can be nerve-wracking for many homeowners. Whether you have discovered a little or a lot of water, you will likely worry that your basement may soon flood and require costly repairs. However, a wide variety of issues can cause water problems in your basement. Knowing what these problems are can help you to determine what may be causing water to appear in your basement. Here are a few of the most common causes of water appearing in a home’s basement.
Cracks in Your Basement’s Walls and Floors
The first thing you should look for after discovering water in your basement is signs of cracking in your basement walls and floors. Even the smallest of cracks can allow moisture to enter your home, and can end up causing costly water damage. Check carefully for any cracking, and patch any cracks you discover with a sealant in order to prevent water entering your home. However, it is important to note that extensive/severe cracking can be indicative of bigger problems, including foundation damage, and should be inspected and repaired professionally.
Failing Windows
After looking for, and repairing, any cracks in your basement, you will next want to inspect your basement’s windows (if applicable) for signs of failure. It may be that an old window is allowing water to enter your basement. Check the interior of your windows for signs of moisture entering your home. Furthermore, you will want to check the window frame for signs of cracks, holes, or rotting, as a failed window seal could be the source of your water problems. If this is the case, you will want to have your basement windows replaced.
Improper Grading
A common culprit of basement moisture and flooding is improper grading around one’s home. It could be that instead of sloping away from your home, as it should, the ground on your property slopes toward your home. This can then cause water to collect around, and enter, your home. It is easiest to look for grading issues during a storm, as you will be able to clearly see which way water is draining around your home. If water does not naturally flow away from your home, then it is likely that your yard will need regrading in order to fix this problem.
Check Your Downspouts
The next thing you can check on your home’s exterior is your gutters and downspouts. You will first want to check to ensure that these are not clogged, as this can cause them to overflow, and allow water to collect near your home, during a storm. You will also want to check the positioning of your downspouts. Oftentimes in older homes, the downspouts will dump water right next to the house, which then allows water to collect near the home’s walls. If this is the case in your home, you should consider having this fixed as this can allow water to enter your basement. Downspouts should have extenders that direct water a few feet away from your home.
Insufficient Basement Waterproofing
If after looking for, and fixing, all of these problems in your home you still have water problems in your basement, then it is likely that your basement is not sufficiently waterproofed. Proper waterproofing is vital in protecting a home’s basement from flooding. Having your home professionally waterproofed will help to keep your home’s basement dry year round, and can prevent costly damage that can result from a flooded basement. Contact us to find out more about the problems that can cause basement flooding, the solutions that can prevent a reoccurrence, and to schedule a consultation to discuss having your basement waterproofed.
