If your basement becomes wet, it is imperative that you act quickly in order to safeguard wet items and reduce mold growth. Your possessions must be extracted and dried promptly so as to reduce further risk.
Water problems in a basement typically result from rainfall and snowmelt as well as subsurface groundwater under hydrostatic pressure. To effectively combat this threat of moisture intrusion, waterproofing and proper gutter function is often the best solution.
Water Leaks
Water or an unpleasant musty odor entering your basement could indicate that there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing. Any standing water should be pumped out immediately so as to prevent mold growth in your walls and floors.
Basement leaks are frequently the result of groundwater pressure. Heavy rainfall or melting snow often saturates the soil around foundation walls, creating hydrostatic pressure which can seep through any cracks or gaps in their construction and lead to basement leakage.
Leaks in basements often occur as the result of improper grading of the soil surrounding your home, where too much moisture pools close to your foundation and pooling occurs. Clogged window well drains are another major contributor, and should be regularly cleared so as to direct water effectively and not pool in unwanted places. A more permanent solution could include interior drain tile which provides an escape route for ground water from pooling under floors.
Subsurface Seepage
Homeowners may be surprised to find water in their basement that does not come from plumbing leaks, such as subsurface seepage. Heavy rainfall saturating soil creates hydrostatic pressure which forces water through any cracks in foundation walls or floors and forces its way in through cracks in foundation walls or floors, forcing more in.
If your basement has become water-logged after heavy rainfall, it may be wise to contact a professional immediately. Excess water seepage can damage belongings, create breeding grounds for mold growth and eventually weaken your home’s foundation over time.
One less obvious cause of water seepage may be due to clogged basement drains. Clogs not only create an inconvenience, but can pose a significant health risk if left unaddressed immediately. Therefore, it’s essential that your basement drains are inspected and cleaned regularly – if clogs can’t be cleared with a drain snake then contact a professional in order to clear away blockages as soon as possible.
Condensation
Mold and mildew growth is a serious threat, damaging personal belongings such as books, photos and electronics as well as posing health concerns for their owners. When basements become damp, mold and mildew growth emerges quickly – this poses serious problems to both you and your health.
Moisture often enters basements from both outside and within a home. Rainwater, groundwater or melting snow saturate the soil around houses, then seep into basements through cracks in foundation walls or permeating porous concrete or masonry walls as water vapor – and thus make its way into basements through cracks in foundation walls or penetrating porous walls as water vapor.
Moisture can enter a home through various sources, including humid outdoor air meeting cold basement walls. Insulation that doesn’t retain moisture could help stop this, while keeping basement air circulating by opening windows and doors and keeping doors closed can help distribute humidity more evenly. A dehumidifier is another effective solution for managing basement condensation.
Flooding
Basement flooding can be an expensive nightmare that results in costly repairs and the loss of personal items, as well as create health and safety risks for you and your family. From excessive rain to poorly designed home plumbing systems, flooding of any sort has many causes that may contribute to flooding in a basement.
Foundation drainage is essential to avoiding basement flooding. Assess your house to see if its yard and concrete surfaces slope away from its foundation walls; otherwise hire a landscaping contractor experienced in grading to correct this. Fill any low spots where rain pools into low spots with compacted soil to direct it away from your house and towards drainage channels.
Clogged sewer lines can also contribute to basement flooding. This could be caused by either your septic tank requiring pumping, or municipal sewer lines being blocked off due to inactivity – in either case any foul-smelling backups in your floor drain or lowest sanitary fixture should be addressed immediately before further flooding ensues.