Addressing Water in Your Basement...One Drop at a Time

Everyone wants to have the basement of their dreams, but most people are afraid of the hard work required to transform that sometimes dark and damp space into a vision of beauty. We believe that the first step is always education. If you understand why your basement has pooling water and unwanted moisture, it is much easier to take the necessary preventative measures that ensure nothing will stand in the way of the basement of your dreams. 

 What Causes Water in the Basement?

Believe it or not, water can find its way into your basement without heavy rains or rough conditions. In this region, there are two main reasons why water pools in basements. The first is known as The Clay Bowl Effect. This takes place when the soil around the foundation of a home has been excavated and replaced, making it less dense and tightly compacted than the unexcavated soil surrounding it. This causes water to collect in the soil immediately surrounding the home, creating a false water table.  Over time this false water table will cause cracks and let water through the foundation. The second culprit is Hydrostatic Pressure. This occurs when the weight of the water in the soil around the foundation puts pressure on the foundation walls, forcing water through any cracks, gaps, holes, and even windows, in the property.

 Where Do Basements Leak?

There are a few areas in your basement that are more susceptible to water entry than others. The first and most common is the wall-floor joint. Other common areas are cracked basement floors, hatchway doors, leaky basement windows, wall cracks, pipe penetrations, failing water heaters, and bursting washing machine hoses. Having a firm understanding of the culprits of unwanted water makes it easier for you to monitor your home to stop any problems before they do any serious damage. 

 Why Care?

It’s true that wet basements can be a headache, but even more than that, they can cause long-term issues for you and your home if not properly fixed. Wet basements can be breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and rot which can lead to a myriad of health issues for anyone living in the home. Furthermore, water damage can severely compromise the structural integrity of the home, not only making it unsafe but possibly affecting any future sale of the home. Overall, moisture in your basement should always be addressed and resolved in a timely manner.

 We Have the Solution:

Regardless of the cause, American Waterworks has the appropriate solution for your home. We offer a variety of fixes for wet basements such as sump pumps, basement drainage systems, dehumidifiers, crack repair solutions, vapor barriers, egress windows, and much more. All our dry basement systems come with a dry basement warranty which is fully transferable and backed by our exceptional customer service.

 Now that you’ve received a rundown of how water finds its way into your basement and what the effects could be on your home, call us at 1-800-795-1204 to schedule your FREE estimate with one of our waterproofing Design Specialists so you can be one step closer to your dream basement!