Water is a force of nature that and because it is impossible to stop, it can only be diverted.
For this exact reason, water pressure in the soil can sometimes cause basement drainage issues.
When hydrostatic pressure becomes a drainage problem and you start seeing water in your basement, a drain system may be the necessary resolution.
If exterior basement drainage solutions are unsuitable for stopping the force of that water, French drain systems can work wonders for keeping your basement dry.
How Does Hydrostatic Pressure Affect Some Basements?
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that water in the soil puts on anything in its way, including home and building foundations.
It can increase when there is a lot of groundwater that has soaked into the soil rather than draining away.
As weather conditions change, this water can put horizontal and upward pressure on the sides and floors of basement foundations.
If the pressure is high enough, it can cause basement drainage issues when the water seeps through porous concrete via little cracks and other penetrable areas.
If the water cannot be held back by the foundation and stopping its passage from the outside is not possible, an interior basement problem solution like a drainage system may be necessary.
How Are Hydrostatic Basement Drainage Issues Resolved?
A common solution for basement drainage problems caused by hydrostatic pressure is the installation of a drainage system to divert, collect, and then remove the water that leaks in through the foundation.
Using this type of system, water being forced in via hydrostatic pressure can still go where it is being naturally pushed but then be diverted before it can enter the basement interior.
This type of drainage problem solution protects the basement from further foundation damage and the effects of moisture constantly seeping into the interior space.
How Can Interior Drain Systems Correct Basement Water Problems?
When correcting basement drainage issues caused by ongoing and unstoppable hydrostatic pressure, French drains make a suitable solution.
To resolve these problems, drainage pipes that allow seeping water in through holes are installed around the interior of the basement close to the foundation wall and under the floor, then covered with a new layer of concrete that seals the floor again.
These drains divert water coming through from the outside into a drainage or sump pit where it collects.
A sump pump then drains the water out of the pit and outside of the basement after enough water collects to activate the pump.
You Can Keep A Leaky Basement Dry!
There are many causes of basement drainage issues that result in leaky, wet basements and ongoing foundation damage.
Sometimes, basement drainage problems can be easily remedied in simple ways; however, when the leaking is due to hydrostatic pressure, more sophisticated repairs may be necessary.
One of the more convenient and functional basement drainage solutions to consider when the continuous effects of hydrostatic pressure become a problem is a drainage system under the basement floor.
Using a simple French drain system and a sump pump, even the leakiest basement being affected by soil water pressure can remain dry and safe!