Wet Basement Causes And Solutions

Most of your households have basements in them. Basements are prone to get wet because of many reasons. Note that it is better to inspect the dampness of the basement before you purchase a house. In this article, we will talk about the various causes and solutions of a wet basement.

Causes of a wet basement

Groundwater

Groundwater usually seeps into the basement because of heavy rainfall. It could also happen because of continuous water seepage.

Overflowing gutters

When gutters overflow, excess water flows into the basement. Heavy rainfall also clogs the gutter with leaves or sediments. For instance, drains from the gutter on the second floor seeps into the gutter on the first floor, etc.

Shortage of Gutters

It is better to install gutters all around your home. However, some of you only install one or two gutters, which lead to wet basements.

Bad landscaping of your house

If your homes aren’t landscaped properly, water will flow towards it rather than flowing away from it.

Sprinklers

When you put sprinklers on, they are capable of entering your basements. The chances of a wet basement are high if the sprinkler is aimed at your house.

Basement Causes

Solutions and options to fix a wet basement in Toronto

Water-proofing

If your basement is prone to get wet, consider water-proofing its walls. You can do this in two ways: interior water-proofing and exterior waterproofing.

 Interior water-proofing:

Concrete waterproof coatings

These are thick layers similar to cement and is applied using a heavy brush made up of ‘Tampico bristles.’

Silicate-based concrete sealers

They are also known as densifiers and her appropriate for walls that haven’t been painted or sealed yet. They can’t be peeled, nor do they flake-off.

Plastic sheets and panels

These are only appropriate for interior basement drainage systems!

Exterior Waterproofing:

Exterior waterproofing is the most trustworthy way to fix wet basements. However, it is expensive to get.

Add gutter extensions

If you do not have enough gutters in your house, don’t fret! Install gutter extensions. Gutter extensions will guide the excess water farther away. However, gutter extensions aren’t fit for the long-run. They aren’t neat either.

Basement Causes

Reshape the landscape

Since your house overlays its base, making the crown could carry soil (as well as rots and termite) near to the siding. To resolve this issue, landscape features in a manner that changes the direction of water away from your house. For instance, a pile of dirt or broad could be made.

Get a curtain drain

Curtain drains are extremely helpful in that they help to change the water’s direction (the water that flows underground). It acts as a shallow ditch (around 2 feet deep and 1.5 feet wide) which consists of gravel and piping. Both of them block the water that is flowing towards your home.

Sump Pumps

You can install a sump pump in the lowest area of your basement. Its job is to prevent your basement from flooding by keeping it dry. Water runs into the sump pump through drains or natural water moderation from the soil.