Water in the basement will have any homeowner raising an eyebrow due to the extensive damages that it can cause in a home. It can cause severe structural damages, create an ideal area for mold and mildew to fester, attract pests, and cause electrical hazards, not to mention damage furniture. If you’ve noticed puddling water, weak flooring, mold growth, visible moisture, or a musty smell, it may be time to hunt for the source of water leakage in your basement. Here are 6 common causes for water in your basement.
Table of Contents
1. Missing, Defective, or Clogged Gutters
Whether your gutters are missing pieces, defective, or just clogged, you should be getting them cleaned and inspected regularly to prevent these problems from occurring. Missing or defective gutters will cause rainwater flow to be directed towards the foundation of the house. Eventually, the water will accumulate inside of the basement, which is the last thing you want in your home. Depending on the landscape surrounding your house, your gutters may need attention multiple times per year.
2. Clogged Downspouts
Similar to problems with gutters, a clogged downspout could be a recipe for a lake in your basement. To test if your downspouts are clogged, wait for 15 minutes of steady, heavy rains. If water overflow is evident from your gutters, it is likely that you have clogged downspouts. This overflow will run to the house foundation, causing cracks that allow water into your basement. Gutters and downspouts work together to direct water away from the home, so if you discover faults in one, it’s important that you get the other thoroughly inspected and repaired or replaced as needed.
3. Aged Sealant / Paint
Sealant or paint, often referred to as Drylock, is commonly used to fix very minor basement water repairs, like small cracks, in a basement’s foundation. However, contrary to popular opinion, sealant is not a reliable longterm solution for waterproofing a basement. Sealant should be regularly inspected to check if it needs to be redone. If not, it will allow water through the small cracks, and can eventually become large holes that can let copious amounts of water into the basement. Sealant should also not be used as a solution to larger problems, as it cannot effectively solve issues that need more extensive care.
4. Ineffective Grading
The grading around your home is the slope that should direct away from the house, leading water away from the foundation. When the grading is ineffective, the slope will direct the flow of water towards the home instead of away, which can cause leakage through the foundation if prolonged. You can fix this by building dirt around the foundation and changing the slope to face away from the house. Depending on the severity, this could be a job requiring a professional waterproofing contractor.
5. Faulty Windows
Windows are a great addition to any basement – they bring light into the room and can give you a glimpse into the outdoors. However, they are one of the most common causes of water leakage. If loose, cracked, or improperly installed, there will be small crevices that invite water into the home. In areas like Northeast Ohio where there is a lot of annual rainfall, this can become extremely probelmatic. Using sealants like caulk could be a temporary fix, but the only long–term solution to fixing faulty windows is to replace them altogether.
6. Dysfunctional Plumbing
A common problem with faulty plumbing is leaky pipes, and can be especially problematic if the problem is in the basement. Pipes can leak, burst, or become clogged, which will cause water leakage. Water heaters are another risk factor for water damage, as it could cause water to rapidly release and pool in the cracks of the floor. If your basement relies on a sump pump to remove excess water, malfunction could also lead to flooding.
7. Cracked Foundation
Once there is a crack in your foundation, water can and will find its way into the basement slowly at first, then quickly due to hydrostatic pressure. As water trickles inside, it can actually worsen the pre existing cracks to become larger holes that put your home at risk of water damages and serious structural issues. Cracked foundation repair can vary depending on the cause of the cracks, so we recommend getting it checked out by a professional. For minor defects, sealants could temporarily solve the problem, but cracked foundations is not something to take lightly. Schedule an inspection with a local waterproofing expert to diagnosis the issue and solution.
Conclusion
While water in a basement may start as a pesky annoyance, it can quickly turn into a catastrophe. If left untreated for a prolonged period of time, it may require costly repairs, damage your personal belongings, and even put your health at risk. If you reside in Northeast Ohio and are interested in scheduling a free waterproofing inspection, Contact Us today.
