Wet Basements: Causes and Solutions
Wet basements can lead to quite a few headaches, for home purchasers, sellers & Realtors. The wrong home inspector can turn a simple, easily fixed leak into a bigger issue or even overlook the issue completely.
The concerns of all stakeholders are totally without merit here as high humidity can produce surface condensation, mildew, mold, fungi, musty odors & an unhealthy living environment.
An independent Home Inspector with the right tools, experience & qualifications can properly evaluate for signs of dampness & water penetration in the home.
Common causes of Wet Basements & Crawl Spaces
The most common cause of a wet basement is quite simply that ground or surface water caused by rain or snow thaw is not properly diverted away from the foundation walls of the home. No water should be permitted to pool next to the foundation walls.
Although there are other potential causes of wet basements such as high water tables, underground springs & damaged or clogged weeping tiles to name a few, this article will focus on the most common causes & practical solutions.
In most cases the basement is below grade where moisture is always present & rain water naturally ends up traveling. This process puts pressure on your walls & since water will always take the path of least resistance, if not handled properly that path could end up leading to your basement.
Things to look for:
• Clogged gutters & downspouts
• Not enough downspouts
• Downspouts that end at the house without a splash pad or extension
• Grading & landscaping slopes sufficiently away from foundation walls
• Rainwater run-off from the adjacent lawns, walkways or driveways
• Excessive watering of flower beds & shrubbery adjacent to the foundation walls
• Sprinklers directed at the house
Possible Solutions:
• It is always recommended that you hire a professional
• Ensure that your gutters & downspouts are secure, without leaks & properly adjusted
• Remove any dirt, leaves & debris from the gutters & downspouts, that could cause them to become clogged
• Add extensions to direct drainage water at least 6 feet away from any foundation walls
• Re-grade the landscape on all side of your home to slope away from the foundation walls, to allow surface water to run away from the house
• Redirect sprinklers away from the foundation walls
• If you have a catch basin keep it clear
Granted these precautions may not correct more serious issues, however they are the most unobtrusive & cost effective methods of keeping your basement dry. So when the next heavy rainstorm hits your area, grab an umbrella & take a walk around your house to see where the surface water is going & what it is doing. And remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a litre less of water in your basement!
Courtesy of Joe Roberto, Lighthouse Inspections