A leaky basement can be a nightmare: the pervasive damp can cause mold growth and musty smells, items stored down there can be ruined, and the foundation can even be damaged by persistent water! If you have moisture, drips, seepage, or other water related issues in your basement, you need to get it sealed and dried out fast, before major problems develop. A wet basement isn't the end of the world, though: there are a number of solutions to get your basement dry, and keep it that way.
The first step to eliminating your basement moisture problem is identifying the source of the water. Once you have located where the water is entering the building, you can more accurately resolve the issue. The following basement drying strategies are grouped by the source of the water to help you easily connect the appropriate solution to your particular problem.
Drainage Problems
Exterior drainage issues can be a major source of water in your basement; if water is not properly diverted away from your foundation, it can frequently work its way inside. If you notice water flowing toward your house on rainy days, have blocked or malfunctioning gutters, or observe signs of erosion around your house, you likely have drainage problems. Some drainage issues are simple to resolve: if your gutters aren't working, clean and repair them. Pay special attention to downspouts, and be sure that they are directing water away from your house, not toward it! Other drainage issues can be more difficult to resolve; if your gutters aren't the source of your drainage issue, you'll want to consult a professional basement waterproofing company. They will be able to identify problematic water patterns and correct them with exterior diversion methods, which frequently require grading and installing bubblers and other water redirection systems.
Basement Leaks
Water can also work its way into your basement through cracks or crevices in your foundation. This type of problem usually manifests itself as a visible break or fracture, a trickle of water, or a damp spot. Keep in mind that basement leaks can also be caused by a porous foundation: there doesn't necessarily have to be a split for water to be seeping in. If you've located an actual crack, you can use one of several basement sealing compounds to fill it in. However, if you determine that water is leaking in through the walls of the basement itself, you'll need to take more thorough measures. You have a number of options for waterproofing your basement: vinyl wall sheeting, epoxy wall/floor paint, and exterior membranes are among the most popular. If you're uncomfortable tackling the job yourself, a waterproofing specialist can provide professional basement sealing results.
Flooding
Sometimes, no matter how good your yard drainage or how carefully your basement has been sealed, water gets in. Whether the result of a burst pipe, torrential rains, or a creek breaching its banks, floods happen. If you live in a flood-prone area, or just want to be prepared in case of disaster, you can mitigate the severity of basement floods. While most basement moisture issues are addressed after-the-fact, you'll get the best results if you're proactive with regard to basement floods. For small amounts of water, interior drain tiles will usually do the job: consider this method if you have a toilet that frequently overflows, or a washing machine that leaks. For larger volumes of water, you'll need a sump pump. This small pump will make a huge difference in how fast water is drained from your basement, and since it kicks in as soon as the water arrives, a sump pump can make the difference between a little standing water and a whole lot of standing water. Contact your local foundation repair contractor to have a sump pump installed. If basement flooding is a frequent problem, you may also want to consider a battery-powered back up pump for power outages.
Make sure you address water problems in your basement promptly; instead of going away on their own, foundation moisture issues frequently snowball into moisture and mold crises. Take the time to identify and resolve the source of the moisture-you certainly won't regret it.
And if you're not the DIY type, there are always basement waterproofing and foundation repair companies willing to help!
Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leading provider of online local advertising
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