Imagine the following scenario: you go down to the basement to retrieve something from the storage area, but instead you discover pools of water in the basement. You might be forgiven for feeling anxious, but don’t worry about it because we are here to assist you.
It is essential to be aware of what to do immediately in the event that you discover a leak in the wall of your basement or a water incursion coming from the floor. Additionally, it is essential to be aware of what you can do to prevent this from happening again.
Understand the Problem
When you detect water leaking through the walls or floor of the basement, there are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon. When you have a thorough understanding of the many processes involved, you will be better equipped to deal with the immediate issue and guarantee that you are able to obtain the appropriate repairs for your wet basement.
It is highly possible that all of these are sources of water in your basement, particularly after it has rained heavily.
Hydrostatic Pressure
The ground that surrounds your basement is saturated with water. The walls and floor of your basement are subjected to a greater amount of pressure when it becomes saturated, as it normally does after a big rain. Because of this, there is a possibility that fractures would appear and water could seep in to the structure.
Cracks in the Walls of the Foundation
It is the path of least resistance that water decides to go. Due to the fact that a fracture provides less resistance than the hard-packed ground that surrounds your property, it might cause leaks in the walls and floors of your basement.
Unsatisfactory Drainage
It is inevitable that water will eventually find its way to places where it should not be since it is not given the opportunity to flow away in a harmless manner. It is essential to make certain that the drainage system on your property is unobstructed and positioned appropriately.
Poor Gutters
Even while it might appear strange to be concerned about your gutters when you are dealing with flooding in your basement, the waterproofing system in your home is actually a holistic system. The water that is dripping from your roof may wind up placing strain on your basement if it is not being directed away in the appropriate manner.
Defective Window Wells
It is possible that water is entering your home through your windows if you discover water on your floor or if you discover leaks in the wall of your basement. Window wells can become an easy conduit for water to collect and force its way through if they are not kept clear of debris if they are not maintained.
What to Do When You Find Water in Basement?
Immediately after the finding of water incursion, it is essential to take urgent action. The discovery of water in your basement is not merely an irritation; rather, it is an indication that there is a problem with the waterproofing of your internal basement and that it requires repair.
You can call a specialist like prydegroupcorp.com/ to fix any basement draining and poor waterproofing issues. Meanwhile, the following are some of the steps that you need to take immediately in order to be able to implement a solution that is more permanent:
Safety First
In addition to being a typical location for breakers and other electrical equipment, basements are an excellent location for storing a wide variety of items that are either noisy or big. Unfortunately, water and electricity do not mix well together. In the event that you have reason to believe that water is causing interference with your electrical systems and it is safe to do so, you should cut off the power.
Moreover, basements are excellent places to store things. Whenever there is a leak in the basement that has been going on for an extended period of time without being discovered, there is a possibility that anything that is stored in the basement may have been damp.
As a result of the fact that mold and fungus grow in damp environments, it is recommended that you wear a mask whenever you are sorting through anything that has become wet.
Regardless of the circumstances, you should always make sure that you are wearing the tools that are suitable for the task at hand.
Identify Source of Leakage
If you discover water in your basement, it is imperative that you determine the source of the water. Having an understanding of the source of the water that is leaking into your basement will be beneficial for any potential long-term solutions that may be required.
If you look for clues that could indicate where water is entering the building, you should look along the walls, the floor, and around any windows.
It is imperative that you take a large number of photographs and videos once you have identified the origin of the water in your basement. Because of these, it will be much simpler for the waterproofing professionals who are working on your wet basement to provide you with advice before they begin any repairs.
Water Removal
Whatever the severity of the water incursion may be, it is always a good idea to remove the water from the area.
Towels and mops are probably going to be the most effective cleaning supplies for a basement that has a relatively little amount of moisture. However, if you are experiencing flooding or pooling, these are not going to be sufficient for your needs.
In the event that you discover more water in your basement than may be quickly wiped up, you may be required to turn to the following:
Some vacuum cleaners are built to be able to handle water in addition to dust. These are known as wet vacs. It is possible that this is the best answer for a water leak in your basement if the problem is something that is mild to moderate in nature.
In the event that your basement is more severely flooded, you may require additional specialized equipment, such as pumps. In the event that you discover that your water incursion is more severe, pumps will remove significant quantities of water.
It goes without saying that there are experts who are dedicated to dealing with properties that have been flooded. Making a call to a disaster mitigation specialist who is equipped with all of the necessary tools and has extensive knowledge is frequently the best call to make.
Mold Mitigation
Unfortunately, dampness that seeps into your basement creates the right circumstances for the formation of mold, which means that even after everything has been dried out, you may still be confronted with issues.
There are some things that you presumably have kept down there that do not react with water, and if they are exhibiting indications of having gotten wet, you will most likely have to dispose of them right away.
Mould has a propensity to spread once it has established itself, and the spores that it generates can be harmful to your health.
The following are of great concern:
- Paper: Paper is a material that can retain water and offers a surface that is ideal for the growth of mold. Once they have been exposed to water, old periodicals, books, and artworks are all possible havens for black mold. This is a particularly unfortunate situation.
- Fabric: Like that of paper, damp materials provide the ideal environment for the growth of molds and fungi.
- In carpets, mold thrives in wet environments and in dark cracks. Molds are almost certainly going to thrive in a carpet that has been exposed to moisture in a basement over an extended period of time.
- Ceiling Tiles: Traditional polystyrene tiles are extremely porous and provide a multitude of crevices and nooks in which mold can grow and thrive.
Any time you find yourself dealing with a mold issue, it is nearly always a good idea to get in touch with a specialist. Besides the fact that mold can pose a significant threat to your health, it also has the potential to assist you in preserving items that hold personal worth.
Useful Tips To Prevent Water Drainage in Basement
In the event that you have discovered water in your basement on more than one occasion, it is inevitable that it will occur again unless you take action.
In order to prevent water from leaking into your basement again, there are a variety of measures that may be done, both within and outside of your home. We strongly suggest that you consult with a professional in order to determine which of these measures are the most suitable for your specific circumstance.
Among these are the relatively straightforward and unobtrusive earthworks, as well as the nuclear option of doing huge earthworks.
The Waterproofing of the Interior Basement
As was noted earlier, cracks are a sure source of leaks in basement walls, and crack repair is necessary to fix them. The process of patching and fixing them is typically not too difficult.
French Drains: The most effective approach is frequently to redirect water away from your basement before it has a chance to leak there. French drains are essentially horizontal drainpipes that allow water to flow away in a safe manner before it has the potential to leak through the floor of your basement.
Sump pumps are straightforward machines that are installed in a pit (the sump) located beneath the floor of your basement. They immediately begin pumping water away from your basement as soon as they detect that the groundwater levels are beginning to rise.
In the event that you are having issues with wetness, a dehumidifier can be of assistance in preventing mold from growing in your basement space.
The Waterproofing of the Basement Exterior
Getting the Grading Right: The first thing that every homeowner ought to be aware of regarding water is that it flows in a downward direction.
Remedial work can be done to ensure that water has an easier path to follow rather than coming through the walls of your basement if your house is not situated on the highest portion of your property. This makes it possible for water to avoid entering your basement.
The appropriate installation of gutters and downspouts is essential to the waterproofing of your entire home, including the basements, despite the fact that their primary function is to funnel water away from your roof. Guttering and downspouting can cause water to collect in areas where it can begin to pose a threat to your basement if they are broken, clogged, or if they are not properly installed.
Window Wells Given that windows are, in essence, holes in your walls, it should come as no surprise that they can be an easy entry point for water. In the event that nothing is done to address the situation, water can seep in through cracks, deteriorated sealants, or even an accumulation of debris.
In particular, it is essential to make certain that window wells are able to drain away from any windows in a safe manner, particularly those that are located in the basement.
Final Thoughts
It is essential that you should not fall into the trap of “out of sight, out of mind” when you discover that water is pouring into your basement. Quick and prompt action needs to be taken in response to any indication of water in your basement, particularly after a period of heavy rainfall.
As soon as the current issue has been resolved, you should think about the various choices available to you to prevent it from happening again.
