Why Your Basement Leaks In Heavy Rain And How To Fix It

Terry Kobatskyi

Terry is a reliable project manager with over 15 years in construction field, who has started his career of working in the trenches. Learn More About Terry Kobatskyi

Wet Basement After Rainfall?

So your area of the country has experienced some significant rainfall, and you’ve just gone down to your basement to discover that it is filling with water. How does this happen, and what do you do now? Water leaking in basement can be a frustrating moment full of stress and confusion – and for a good reason! After all, water damage can be quite expensive to fix, and it might feel pretty urgent to figure out what is happening to your home and why. Basement seepage after heavy rain is an important issue that should be addressed by a professional. Let’s take a look at how water in basement happens!

Why Do Basement Leaks Happen During Heavy Rain?

There are several reasons why basement leaks happen during heavy rain. The most common reasons include:

Poor drainage: If your home’s drainage system is not working correctly, water can accumulate around the foundation, causing it to leak into the basement.
Cracks in the foundation: Over time, your home’s foundation can develop cracks, which can allow water to seep into the basement.
Poorly installed or maintained gutters: Gutters are designed to direct water away from your home’s foundation. If your gutters are clogged or not working correctly, water can overflow and accumulate around the foundation, causing leaks.
Hydrostatic pressure: When soil becomes saturated with water, it can create hydrostatic pressure, which can push water through cracks in the foundation and into the basement.
Improperly installed or missing waterproofing: If your basement was not properly waterproofed during construction or if the waterproofing has deteriorated over time, it can allow water to seep into the basement during heavy rain.

Window Well Issue

A window well is a structural feature that surrounds a basement window and helps prevent water and debris from entering the window. However, if the window well is damaged or improperly installed, it can contribute to basement leaks during heavy rain. A damaged window well can allow water to seep into the basement through the window, leading to water damage and potentially causing mold growth. To prevent basement leaks related to window wells, it’s important to ensure that they are properly installed and maintained. This includes checking for cracks or damage and ensuring that the window well is properly sealed to prevent water from entering.

Foundation Cracks and Holes

Foundation cracks and holes can be a significant cause of basement leaks during heavy rain. Water can seep into the basement through these openings, leading to water damage, mold growth, and potentially even structural problems. If you have foundation cracks or holes in your basement, it’s important to address them as soon as possible to prevent basement leaks. This may involve repairing the foundation or installing a waterproof membrane to prevent water from seeping through.

Gutter and Downspout Issues

Gutters and downspouts are essential for directing water away from your home’s foundation and preventing basement leaks. However, if your gutters and downspouts are damaged, clogged, or improperly installed, they can contribute to basement leaks during heavy rain. For example, if your gutters are clogged, water can overflow and pool around your home’s foundation, leading to basement leaks. To prevent basement leaks related to gutter and downspout issues, it’s important to ensure that they are properly installed, regularly cleaned and maintained, and repaired or replaced as needed. This can help ensure that water is properly directed away from your home’s foundation and basement.

How can I fix my basement?

To be frank, water damage can be quite expensive to fix. That’s why it is important to reach out to professionals as soon as possible once you realize you have an issue like water leaks or mold growth on your hands. Aquatech Waterproofing can help. Our experts understand how to assess the foundation of your home and determine the best steps to take when it comes to waterproofing your basement. For more information about basement seepage after heavy rain and repair options, contact Aquatech Waterproofing today about our basement waterproofing Toronto services. Give us a call at 416-300-2191 and let our experienced staff help answer your questions.

Basement Seepage After Heavy Rain Toronto

Sometimes life gifts us some surprises. And while some of them are pleasant, others are very much not. One of the least pleasant surprises to experience is opening your basement door to find the area flooded. Basement seepage after heavy rain is a serious problem that can lead you to expensive repairs and even significant water damage. But how does the flooding even happen in the first place? Home foundations are, after all, supposed to be strong enough to support a house – shouldn’t they be able to keep out something as simple as water? Let’s take a look!

Building Foundations and Rainfall

When it comes to the foundation of a building, we tend to think of it as an impenetrable wall. In reality, those walls tend to be made of concrete. Concrete is very strong. However, it is certainly not impenetrable – and that is especially true when water is in question. To get a better idea about why that is, let’s think about something like a dish sponge. Before they are saturated with water, sponges tend to be very light and fairly small. Once submerged in water, however, they quickly absorb water and gain weight and size. Eventually there is no more room for the water to occupy, and the excess begins to drip off.

The foundation around your home functions in much the same way. The concrete slowly absorbs water and eventually become saturated to the point where there is no more room left for that water to occupy. That is where basement seepage after heavy rain comes in. The excess water drips into your basement and fills it up.

Repair Your Basement

To help prevent continued water seepage and water damage, it is important to reach out to professionals as quickly as possible. Aquatech Waterproofing, for example, has experienced teams that are capable of assessing your basement and foundation and determining the best way to fix the issue. For more information about basement seepage after heavy rain and repair options, contact Aquatech Waterproofing today about our basement waterproofing Toronto services. Give us a call at 416-300-2191 and let our experienced staff help answer your questions.

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