Dealing with a leaky or moist basement isn’t something any property owner wants to deal with. Whether you’re considering purchasing a new home or have lived in one that has water issues, it’s important to educate yourself about the common problems that can cause leaks and floods in basements. By eliminating these issues, you can potentially have a basement that is waterproof. Read on to find out the common basement waterproofing issues and their solutions.
Not Enough Ventilation Around Foundation Due to Dense Shrubbery
Sure, having shrubs and plants planted around the outside foundation of your home was a great design choice, but it could be causing poor ventilation. This means that each time it rains or snow melts, it can’t evaporate quickly like it’s supposed to. The water is then left to sit there around your foundation, which can potentially leak into your basement through the windows or cracks and holes in the exterior.
The solution to this problem would be to trim shrubs that have grown heavily, so that the soil is able to get more sunlight. Obviously, this will allow the water that falls here to dry up faster. When you’re digging up plants to remove, make sure to also get rid of any pieces of mortar, masonry or other materials that were buried around the house when your basement was excavated.
Your Basement Windows Aren’t Protected
Few people pay attention to their basement windows and their vulnerability. When your basement windows are left unprotected, heavy storms can cause lots of water to build up, allowing water to leak in through the frames and beneath the windows.
To combat this problem, you can have window wells installed. These will protect your windows from standing water that persists after heavy rain and snow. The wells used should be made of masonry or metal and have bottoms that consist of gravel, to allow the water to drain properly. You can also have your entire window well covered with clear plastic bubbles, similar to an awning.
Your Basement Sweats
Another word for this problem is called condensation. This is when the atmosphere in your basement produces moisture, which typically forms on cool surfaces like cold water pipes, floors and walls. The excess moisture occurs when the weather is hot and humid or when there are long periods of rainfall.
In order to stop your basement from “sweating”, it’s recommended that you regulate the ventilation in your basement. It’s advised that you have your plumbing repaired in a timely manner, open basement windows and dry your clothes using a dryer that vents the hot air outdoors. If this doesn’t help, you can try using a large-capacity dehumidifier.
Having waterproofing methods performed to your home is a great way to get rid of moisture and water leaks. There are different techniques you can use, including indoor and outdoor drainage systems. Whenever you notice a water issue in your basement, make sure to tend to it right away. It would be a good idea to have a professional help you with finding and eliminating the source of the problem.
