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Rainwater and melting snow are common offenders for water and moisture entering your basement. Moisture can affect any basement whether it is old or new, finished or unfinished. The reason for finding water in your basement is not always the same.
Some instances are due to an internal problem, while other situations are caused by issues outside the home. Recognizing the symptoms and tracking down the problematic areas is important to keeping your home in great condition.
Does anxiety creep in when you see rain in the forecast? Are you ready to stop dealing with a wet basement? There are solutions, but choosing the right one requires that you know what is causing a wet basement. You’ll want to be sure your basement is in proper condition before moving forward with a finishing or remodeling project.
First things first, check your appliances that use water. There could be a slow leak coming from your shower, sink, toilet, or washing machine. An appliance could be the culprit if the water continues to appear in the same spot.
The soil is typically full of moisture. Rain or melting snow will add to that volume, causing the water to move. Water building up near the foundation will begin to seep through the gaps in the basement walls.
Many sump pumps run on electricity. Be sure the sump pump is plugged in and that the breaker has not been tripped. A clear sign of failure is a sump pit that is full of water.
You could be inviting moisture into your home if you have cracked the downstairs windows for ventilation. This is more of a summer season issue than during colder weather seasons. The humid exterior summer air paired with a cool basement can lead to condensation on walls and windows.
Improper landscaping can encourage water to flow toward the home or to build up against the foundation. Be sure the soil and mulch are placed properly when you take on a landscaping project.
Maybe you don’t have landscaping along the side of your home. In this case, the fill dirt may have settled and could be directing water toward the foundation. Simply be sure that ground slopes away from the home, not toward it.
The purpose of your gutters and downspouts is to carry water away from the foundation of your home. The water will find its way from the gutters to the basement if the downspouts are improperly placed.
Placing a dehumidifier in your basement near the problematic spots will help absorb the moisture. Most dehumidifiers allow you to continuously drain the collected water. Be sure the hose starts higher than the endpoint and is near a drain. Be sure to check and drain the collected water often if you do not have a continuously draining dehumidifier.
Sealing cracks and gaps with an epoxy-based resin will help keep the water outside. Guiding water away from the foundation will help prevent the cracks from expanding. However, epoxy won’t be useful if the cracks and gaps are the result of a structural issue. More professional solutions should be sought in these situations.
Clean your gutters regularly and be sure they are draining rainwater far enough away from your home. This will help keep water away from the foundation and out of your basement.
Some homes have structural issues that require more than a weekend DIY project. In other cases, insufficient drain tile could be causing your basement water issues. In these cases, professional help is required.
Waterproofing your basement is an essential part of having peace of mind as a homeowner. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The costs and issues will only grow the longer you wait to implement a suitable solution.
We recommend seeking professional help to properly identify the cause of moisture in your basement when the issue is ongoing.
Get in touch with Premier Construction if you’re ready to take the next step with your basement finishing or remodeling project. We have been working in central Iowa for over 10 years, bringing house dreams to reality.
Contact us today to get started on a quote for your project. Not quite ready? Take a look at our past work for inspiration.