4 Sure Ways to Fix Wet Basements
Wet basements are not only smelly and unpleasant; they also pose a significant risk to your health because they are associated with the growth of mold. Wet basements also pose a significant risk to the value of your home.
Since basement wetness is caused by the water that enters the basement, you can cure this problem by simply diverting the water that comes into contact with the foundation. It is also necessary to address any cases of seepage of moisture into the basement through the walls and the floor.
Fixing wet basements requires a good level of skill and therefore, it is important to work with a professional contractor. The contractor will help you to identify any faults in the drainage, cracks on the floor and walls, and other issues that need to be fixed. The contractor will then do any or a combination of the following things to fix your wet basements.
- Adding Downspouts and Gutter Extensions
Old, faulty, or incorrectly installed downspouts and gutters can cause roof water to be dumped too close to the foundation. When this happens over a long time, water will not only seep into the basement, but the increased hydrostatic pressure will cause the basement walls to start bending inwards.
- Repairing Cracks in the Walls and Floor
Cracks on the floor and walls of a basement are notorious for causing water seepage. If the cracks are not repaired, they will expand and cause even more moisture to seep in. You need to be particularly concerned if the walls of the basement have horizontal cracks, as these are often associated with the bowing of the walls.
A professional basement repair contractor will help you by sealing all cracks and repairing any other damage that may cause seepage of water through the floor and walls of your basement.
- Reshaping the Landscape
If the landscape of your home slopes towards the house, a lot of water will be coming into contact with the foundation whenever it rains or there is a burst pipe. To solve this problem, a basement waterproofing contractor will reshape the landscape so that water flows away from the foundation.
- Installing or Repairing Footing Drains
A footing drain is a foundation drainage system that is installed on the exterior part of the foundation wall to help drain water that comes close to the foundation. The drain is covered with gravel that allows water to seep into an appropriately fitted tile. A contractor will check whether your home has footing drains.
Clogged or faulty drains need to be unclogged or repaired, and where none has been installed, the contractor will install the drains for you.
