Why is my basement leaking?
Understanding these causes will make sure you can save money when repairing foundation leaks!
Lateral Pressure
The soil around the foundation easily absorbs water from rainfall and snowfall. Some soils, such as clay, don’t drain as quickly as others, which causes a build up of water pressure underneath the ground. When the soil expands around the excess water, it creates a lateral — or sideways — pressure against the home’s foundation.
Hydrostatic Pressure
This type of pressure is also caused by water accumulating in the area around the home. However, this pressure is affected by the natural water table of your geographical location, which is the level where ground water exists. When the area is flooded by a lot of rainfall or snowfall, the water table rises. This creates a pressure from below that forces water into the basement.
Landscaping
A poorly planted foundation can cause many home waterproofing problems. To prevent any additional water from seeping into your home, you should make sure that your landscaping slopes away from the home. As a rule of thumb, the soil around your home’s foundation should slope at least six inches for every 10 horizontal feet.
Window wells
Window wells are installed in the basement as a way to let light in, but if they do not have adequate seals or drains, water can accumulate after a large rainfall. Plus, if the window was not installed properly, there is a possibility all this water can create enough pressure to push the window in.
Understanding where the water is coming from when you have a wet basement is the first step in repairing foundation leaks properly. If you are noticing a lot of extra water in your home and need some help figuring out where it came from, don’t hesitate to contact basement waterproofing professionals ASAP.
