Wet basement problems can cause big issues in your house if not resolved right away.
A wet basement that has seeping water on the walls will ruin items kept in the basement, cause mold growth in the house, reduce indoor air quality that can promote sickness, and even progress to more serious concerns like major foundation problems.
Fortunately, with the right wet basement repair done by a qualified professional, these problems can be corrected and future damage prevented.
What Causes A Wet Basement?
If you have a wet basement, alleviating the problem starts with diagnosing the source of the water so the appropriate wet basement repair can be made.
Damp and musty basements with seeping water happen for these main reasons:
- Rain water is entering over the tops of the foundation walls and seeping into the basement.
- There are holes in the foundation that were not filled by the construction crew before the foundation was finished.
- Floor cracks due to water pressure under the floor pad.
- Cracks in weak foundation walls or floors due to poorly mixed cement.
- Sump pump backups or failures.
- Sewer line backups or leaking around floor drain lines.
How Can A Wet Basement Be Repaired?
There are many methods that can be used to repair wet basement problems depending on the cause and an experienced contractor might use one or more of these methods to repair your wet basement:
- Gutter Extensions - If water is entering over the tops of the foundation wall because water falls from the roof to within a foot of the foundation, add gutter extensions to divert more water away from the base of the house.
- Repair Cracks, Gaps and Holes - If the problem is cracks in the walls or floor, holes left unfilled, or even gaps around plumbing fixtures, these can be plugged with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement.
- Rebuild the Crown or Shape the Landscape - If it’s determined that the problem is the ground slope near the foundation, contractors may need to re-shape the crown at the base of the house or change the landscape around the house to divert water away from the foundation.
- Repair or Install Foundation Drains - If water is coming in from the joint where the walls and the floor meet, a more substantial wet basement repair involving the installation of interior floor or perimeter drains or the repair of existing footing drains may be necessary.
- Install A Curtain Drain or French Drain System - When footing drains are not present and water seeps from the wall to floor joint, wet basement problems can be remedied by installing curtain or french drains around the base of the foundation to receive any water flowing toward it.
- Seal and Waterproof the Walls - In addition to the other methods mentioned, a wet basement repair contractor might also recommend sealing and waterproofing interior and exterior basement walls using waterproof polymer coatings and membranes.
Seek Qualified Basement Repair Specialists
Water seeping into your basement may seem benign; however, it’s actually a sign of significant existing or developing foundation damage.
To prevent a wet basement and the issues that it can bring, contact a professional who can figure out the source of the water and what type of wet basement repair is needed to stop it.
With the right corrective action, you can stop wet basement problems from slowly destroying your home and your health!
