Discovering that your basement is flooded with water after heavy rain is easily the worst thing a homeowner can experience. Not only do you have puddles in your basement, but they are likely to be a sign of some structural damage or even mold growth in your house. Thankfully, you can avoid having your basement and other parts of your house suffer from water leaks if you follow the right measures.
Regardless of the climate, we at Umbrella Waterproofing pride ourselves in providing you with sustainable solutions to ensure your basement remains moisture-free.
Why Do Basement Water Leaks Occur?
Before we get into the remedies, it’s important to understand why basements are so vulnerable to water leaks. There are several typical causes:
- Hydrostatic Pressure: If there is a lot of rain, the ground around the foundation becomes wet, and swollen and applies pressure on the structure. This pressure can lead to basement leaks as water pressure will push water through other micro-cracks or areas in the foundation walls that may be vulnerable.
- Broken Foundations: Foundation walls made of concrete are susceptible to cracking with time, especially in older structures. Typically after a downpour, these fissures serve as entry points for water.
- Inadequate Grading: The earth should slope away from your home’s foundation. If it doesn’t, rainwater may pool around your home’s foundation, raising the risk of leaks.
- Problems with Gutters and Downspouts: Gutters and downspouts drain the water system away from the house. They can be blocked or placed inadequately, which may cause water accumulation near the foundation—a situation that may encourage water seepage.
We at Umbrella Waterproofing have seen it all, so we know just how to deal with these problems and provide long-lasting fixes. Let’s look at some of the best ways to stop your basement from leaking water.
1. Interior Waterproofing of Basements
One of the most affordable ways to stop water from leaking in is to waterproof the interior of the basement. This technique is centered on controlling water from the basement itself and diverting it outside of your house.
- Sump Pumps: Another necessary appliance which should be installed in any basement prone to leakage or inundation is a sump pump – a pump installed at the lowest point in the basement with the goal of forcing water out of the house’s foundation. The only way to avoid having a flood in the basement the next time there is rainfall is to obtain a sump pump; present day models come equipped with batteries in the event of a power outage.
- Interior Drainage Systems: The goal of internal drainage systems like French drains is to prevent water from entering the basement. These systems are installed around the basement floor’s perimeter to direct water via a sump pump and out of your home.
2. External Waterproofing of Basement
Exterior waterproofing offers a longer-lasting solution by tackling the issue outside your property, whereas interior waterproofing solutions assist in managing water that is already there. When water seepage is a persistent problem, this is often the most successful treatment.
- Foundation Sealing: This is done by putting in a waterproof layer on the exterior part of your foundation. This way, a layer is created which will prevent water from penetrating through the walls of the house. Proofing of a foundation requires other methods of waterproofing, such as drainage systems.
- Exterior Drainage Solutions: By diverting water away from your foundation, exterior drainage systems, including French drains or weeping tiles, help control water. Water is collected by these subterranean systems before it even gets to your foundation. They offer a strong defense against water leaks when combined with foundation sealing.
3. Fixing Cracks in the Foundation
You must get your foundation walls fixed right away if you find any cracks in them. During a strong downpour, water can sneak through even tiny crevices. At Umbrella Waterproofing, we’re experts at filling these gaps and sealing them tightly with advanced substances like epoxy or polyurethane injections. During and after storms, your basement will remain dry thanks to this technique, which makes sure that water cannot seep through your walls.
4. Modifications to Landscaping and Grading
The surrounding terrain of your house has a big impact on whether or not water seeps into your basement. Water leaks are more likely when there is improper grading around the foundation because rainfall collects there.
- Appropriate Grading: Perhaps one of the most preventive measures one should consider is to ensure that the soil around the perimeter of the house is properly graded to slope outwards. In other words, no accumulation of water around the house should take place, if there is at least a 6-inch grade for every 10 feet of length.
- Solutions for Landscaping: Planting trees and other vegetation in strategic locations might occasionally help with water management. Water can be prevented from collecting close to your foundation by the substantial volumes of water that trees and plants absorb. As they can grow into pipes or cracks, roots can cause more issues, so be careful when planting them in close proximity to your foundation.
5. Upkeep of Gutter and Downspout
Basement leaks following a strong downpour are often caused by clogged or incorrectly built gutters and downspouts. Saturation of the earth surrounding your foundation might result from water overflowing gutter edges or downspouts that dump water too close to the home. With time, your basement may seep with this extra water.
- Routine Gutter Maintenance: Carrying out routine gutter cleaning in the spring and fall means you can guarantee that the gutters are ready to handle heavy rain. Gutters can become blocked with twigs, leaves, and other materials very quickly, and so they cannot do their job correctly.
- Extended Downspouts: The distance between your downspout and your foundation should be at least 6 feet. This lessens the chance that water may collect outside your house and seep into the basement.
6. Dehumidifiers to Manage Moisture
Due to ambient humidity, moisture might still accumulate in your waterproofed basement. Using a high-quality dehumidifier can help prevent mold growth, which is a common issue following heavy rains.
Conclusion: Keep Your Basement Dry With Umbrella Waterproofing
At Umbrella Waterproofing we do understand the frustration that comes along with having a dripping basement. There are several other effects of water leakage in the basement, such as damaging the structure of the building, formation of mold, inconvenience, and expensive repair bills.
Among the precautions that can be taken in an effort to prevent such a situation in the future include getting a sump pump installed, fixing the cracks and ensuring that the backyard is inclined towards an adequate angle from the structural foundation of the house.
The waterproofing of the basement is a one-time activity which brings long-term benefits to the property. With any one-time issue consequent of a very powerful storm, or a drip that has been continuous, Umbrella Waterproofing is prepared to help.
Our team of professionals is prepared to determine the precise demands of your house and offer long-lasting, practical solutions.
Don’t wait until the next storm to start safeguarding your basement; get in touch with us right now for a consultation!
