Take all items affected by water to a safe location, removing anything electrical that may become electrified from standing water sources.
Most basement seepage is caused by clogged gutters and foundation grading that slopes toward the house, along with soil around it that absorbs more water than expected, leading to hydrostatic pressure pushing moisture into walls and floors of homes.
Water Damage
Water damage to furniture and personal possessions in a basement is among the main impacts caused by its presence, along with damage caused by damp conditions in drywall walls and carpeting. Items left wet too long may attract black mould growth which further compound problems caused by having too much water in your basement.
Groundwater or snow melt that pools around a house without proper drainage channels is likely to accumulate against its foundation, creating hydrostatic pressure which forces water into cracks in walls and floor footings – often after heavy rainfall or sudden melting snowfall. This often results in hydrostatic pressure being created against walls, forcing more into cracks in walls or floor footings, which often occurs after stormy weather or rapidly melting snowfall.
Pressure from outside can also contribute to sagging or bulging in a basement floor or wall, an indication of serious structural problems that require professional intervention from an engineer. Prevention is always best with basements – proper yard grading, gutters and landscaping can prevent water issues leading to leaky basements; and soil that slopes away from homes significantly decreases seepage issues.
Mold Growth
Mold can be devastating to the value of any home and cause health concerns for you and your family. Mold growth in your basement could decrease its value while increasing humidity levels within it and leading to health concerns for everyone living there.
Mold growth often arises in basements as a result of leaky plumbing fixtures, clogged drain lines and condensation. A simple way to combat this problem is installing air conditioning drip pans to collect condensation dripwater while keeping drain lines free and clear.
Foundation cracks may allow water into the foundation through shrinkage, initial settlement or stress points on its foundation. Cracks may be filled out or patched over to address this problem temporarily; however, for long term solutions it is advisable to have an interior waterproofing system in place.
Drainage issues such as clogged gutters, short downspouts and improper land grading channel water towards foundations and raise the water table, leading to infiltration problems. Drying wet materials quickly with dehumidifier use will help reduce mold growth while porous materials that have been exposed to sewage should be bagged and thrown away immediately.
Health Issues
A wet basement can become the source of mold, pests and indoor air quality issues that affect residents. Mold spores in particular have been known to trigger allergic reactions in some individuals that lead to respiratory illnesses, eye and nose irritation, headaches and shortness of breath.
Basements with damp walls and floors create the ideal conditions for dust mites, cockroaches and other pests to flourish – contributing to chronic sinus, nasal and throat conditions as well as asthma attacks.
Basements often house gas-powered appliances like furnaces and water heaters that release carbon monoxide into the atmosphere; improper ventilation can lead to an accumulation of these harmful fumes that pose serious health risks for residents.
Structural Damage
An unsealed or leaky basement can damage its foundation and result in mold growth, rot, musty odors and health concerns. The best way to combat damp basement issues is waterproofing before the moisture problem becomes an overwhelming one.
Moisture issues arise when water infiltrates a house from outside sources, such as heavy rainfall or snowmelt that overflows its drainage channels. Water may also seep in through cracks or crevices in its foundation wall and enter.
As noted above, interior sources such as showers, laundry rooms and humidifiers can contribute to moisture issues in a basement, which in turn can result in water seeping through gutters and downspouts that redirect it toward its foundation and into it. A failing sump pump or damaged gutters and downspouts that direct rainwater toward it could also play a part.