Having a wet basement can be a sign that there is something far worse going on beneath your foundation than just an entry point for water. In fact just because you have moisture or water in your basement doesn’t mean it’s simply your home’s fault. A host of problems, including drain tile problems, erosive ground water issues, and improper water drainage can be to blame.
This doesn’t mean you have to take it lying down. There are many solutions to prevent water from entering your basement, here are just two tried and true systems with a positive track record.
A Pressure Release System
This sort of system is used alone and in tandem with other waterproofing techniques, because it depends so much on the basement wall material for optimum effectiveness. Basement Sheetrock is cut back and a Pressure Release System is installed by way of a perforated PVC piping system cut to your home’s specifications. As the Pressure Release System fights back water seepage and hydrostatic pressure, then pumps the offending water away from the foundation, your basement stays dry. A Pressure Release System is a great solution to a wet basement problem.
French Drain
Perhaps one of the most effective way to collect/divert/remove water from your basement is to have a French drain installed (named after Henry French). As hydrostatic pressure builds against the outside of your home, water finds a way in, and a French drain is designed to stop it in its tracks. How it works is simple: the system is installed under the basement floor, and as the water seeps in, gravity moves it down the wall where it meets the French drain, and is then pumped outside or drains into the ground. A French drain is a popular and well-tested solution.
Which is Best?
Because there is no right answer to this, it will suffice us to say that sometimes one works when the other does not, and sometimes both are required in some form or another. Every wet basement is different, and there are many factors that go into fixing the problem (including sealants, sump pumps, etc.) The only way to answer this question accurately is to talk to a professional.
