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There are several signs that indicate you have a wet basement problem.
If you walk downstairs, and there’s a musty smell, that’s certainly a sign there is excess moisture. Sometimes you’ll see dampness or water stains at the base of the concrete wall, on the ceiling, or on the basement floor.
Efflorescence is another sign you have a wet basement. That’s the salt deposits or whitish residue on the walls that occurs after water evaporates.
In some cases the situation has become so extreme there is water trickling out of the walls. And even more serious than that, rot in the carpet or wood, or signs of rust, are indications you have a big problem.
SO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
There are a number of things you can do.
Do some landscaping. Make sure the soil next to the home’s foundation slopes away from the foundation, so water flows in a safe direction.
Concrete is porous. So if water is sitting up against the foundation walls of your basement, it will eventually make its way through.
The slope should be at least six inches over the first ten feet in all directions.
Every fall and spring, check the eavestroughs and gutters for clogs caused by leaves or debris. Water will overflow during an intense rainfall and over-saturate the ground next to the foundation walls if there are blockages.
Add gutter extensions on the outside of the home, if the downspouts from the gutters are less than five feet away from the house’s foundation.
Again, with more incidents of heavier rainfall, that means more water will rest next to the foundation. Inexpensive extensions onto the downspouts will direct water safely away from the house.
Check around the basement walls, along the floor, even around pipes in the basement, for leaks. If you see something, head to Canadian Tire and pick up some hydraulic cement for $20, and apply it. The cement will expand as it cures and should fill the gaps. If it doesn’t work, you likely have a more serious issue. Call Canada Waterproofers for an assessment at that point.
CHECK THE WINDOW WELLS
Often the drainage system from window wells gets clogged with leaves, dirt or other debris. Then if it rains, water will back up and leak into the basement. Inspect the window wells every fall and spring for blockages and leaks.
ARE YOUR BASEMENT DOORS AND WINDOWS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY?
Stairwell doors or basement windows may have small holes or cracks where water can get in, probably because of improper sealing.
Fix the plumbing if there are leaks, causing dampness behind the walls. They could be cracked or blocked. Pipes are a part of the home you need to pay attention to during the winter months, when they can freeze up and burst.
CHECK OUT THE FOOTING DRAIN
This is a sloping drainage pipe system that runs near the wall footing, below the slab, that connects to a catch basin or storm sewer farther away from the foundation of your home. This system allows for water drainage away from the foundation. If need be, water pressure will blast away dirt and sand that’s in the footing drainpipe. Call a plumber and make sure the footing drain was installed correctly and is in good working order.
Interior waterproofing pumps out water that has already seeped into your basement, as opposed to exterior waterproofing, designed to keep the water out. Both methods keep your basement dry and safe.
In terms of wet basement repair, exterior waterproofing is the best, most complete way of keeping your basement dry.
It is more expensive (cost starts at around $100 per foot and can run as high as $1,000 per foot, depending on the size and difficulty of the job). There is major excavation work involved, around the exterior of the home, all the way down to the footing. Walls are cleaned, cracks are fixed and aqua block foundation is applied. A fiber mesh is also installed on the walls for reinforcement, and a new weeping tile or drainage system is installed as well. This is the best, most complete way of dealing with the issue of wet basement repair.
Call Canada Waterproofers for a free assessment.
Call: 416-333-LEAK (5325)
Email: Info@canadawaterproofers.com
or fill out the form below.