Article provided by Bonnie Dittrich from Benji Dittrich Construction
When I visit a home with wet basement issues, I usually encounter the same question from homeowners: "How did this happen?".
Many homeowners do not understand how or why their basement leaks and they have even more questions when they see that the foundation is failing, and it has severe structural issues.
A wet basement problem starts small and as the problem ages, it grows in scope. The best defence against preserving your home is keeping it dry.
Drainage around a building is extremely important. Basements leak primarily due to water pressure and poor drainage. A lack of, or eroded, waterproofing system or weeping tile also contributes.
Groundwater accumulates around the foundation, especially after heavy rain or snowmelt. If the foundation walls aren’t properly waterproofed, water forces its way through cracks, joints, or porous concrete. Over time, this erodes the foundation while harmfully affecting the foundation’s structure.
Poor exterior drainage is a big culprit. If the soil around the house doesn’t slope away from the building, or if eavestroughs and downspouts dump water too close to the foundation, it will pool and seep downward. Damaged or nonexistent weeping tile (which is used to carry water away from the base of the foundation) will make the situation worse.
Cracks from settling, bad construction, age of the house or heavy soil conditions will allow water to exploit any weak spot and will damage the foundation. Older homes might lack modern waterproofing systems, leaving them more vulnerable to damage.
Fixing a wet basement requires addressing the source by improving drainage, changing poor soil conditions, adding a new weeping tile system and waterproofing the foundation walls.
Poor soil condition is one of the main culprits when it comes to foundation failure. To structurally repair the foundation, one must address the drainage outside the building. A structural repair like core filling is not a full repair if the soil conditions and drainage are not addressed.
Structural repairs are just that - structural. Waterproofing for your foundation is also imperative. Allowing poor drainage to persist will not solve the wet basement issue. A proper structural repair to a foundation requires drainage remediation.
A full structural repair, like core fill or underpinning, requires excavating around the building, removing the poor drainage material and replacing it with proper fill to be complete. The repair requires new a weeping tile system and sealing the walls with a watertight system.
Foundation repair can be substantial in scope and is not something that you want to do twice. Do it right the first time. You do not want to do a band-aid repair in an already bad situation only to find out that under that band-aid, future damage is festering.
Protect your investment by doing regular maintenance around your home.
Here are some helpful tips that involve a combination of proactive maintenance and addressing potential issues before they escalate.
Ensure Proper Grading and Drainage: The ground around your home should slope away from the foundation at a rate of about 6 inches over the first 10 feet. This directs water away from your basement. Check and regrade the soil if necessary.
Maintain Eavestroughs and Downspouts: Keep gutters clean and free of debris to prevent overflow. Ensure downspouts extend at least 5-10 feet away from the foundation to discharge water safely. Check pipes for cracked seams and leaks. Consider adding downspout extensions or splash pads if needed.
Check Window Wells: If your basement has windows, ensure window wells are clear of debris and have proper drainage (e.g., gravel at the bottom). Install covers to keep rain and runoff out.
Ensure Sump Pumps are Functioning Properly: A sump pump can be a lifesaver in areas prone to heavy rain or high-water tables. It collects water in a basin and pumps it away from the house. Regular testing (e.g., pouring water into the pit to see if it activates) ensures it’s working when needed. Make sure the discharged water is being directed away from the house.
Monitor Plumbing: Leaky pipes or appliances (like water heaters) in the basement can mimic external leaks. Regularly inspect and maintain plumbing systems and consider installing a leak detection system.
Control Humidity: Use a dehumidifier to help keep basement humidity below 50-60%. Excess moisture can weaken materials and encourage seepage through porous concrete.
Contact Benji Dittrich Construction for assistance on how to solve your wet basement issue, “We Will Solve Your Problem”.
- Website: www.benjidittrichconstruction.com
- Call or Text: 705-929-7652
- Email: [email protected]
This article was sponsored by Benji Dittrich Construction, a 2024 Sudbury·com Reader Favourite.