One of the worst things that can happen to a home is to have a wet basement. It may start as a small leak, but it can cause more serious damage if left unaddressed. Prevent moisture from coming in and keep your basement dry.
What are Common Reasons for Basement Moisture?
It is essential to understand how moisture comes into your basements to know how you can keep your basement dry. However, water can enter basements in ways that homeowners have no control over. Below are the most common reasons moisture makes its way to your basement:
Improper Soil and Drainage Systems
Persistent rain and groundwater that doesn’t drain correctly can cause a leak in your basement. If water is not redirected away from your home, water will saturate the ground and can enter your basement.
Incorrectly Installed and Maintained Gutters
If gutters are improperly installed in the beginning, they become too clogged to do its function. Water will not drain properly, and it can accumulate and cause leaks.
Improper Slope
The slope is essential to draw water away from your home and not towards it. Water will build up in your home’s foundation and cause water to enter your basement.
Hydrostatic Pressure
When water builds up in your home’s foundation that is when hydrostatic pressure happens. Water will try to escape when gravity pushes down on it, and it creates pressure that can lead to cracks to your walls or basement.
Cracks in the Basement
Breaks in any part of your home are an easy entry for water to flow inside your home.
Condensation
Damp places such as the basement can be home to mildew, mold, and cause other potential damages in the future.
Top 3 Basement Waterproofing Methods
After knowing the most common reasons that cause basement moisture, it’s time to learn how to prevent it. Below are the three principal methods to basement waterproofing:
Interior
Interior waterproofing is done to keep water out of the basement from the inside. This is typically used when an existing problem has been determined and needs immediate attention. Sealants and coatings are some of the materials used for interior waterproofing. Methods used to prevent condensation can also be done as interior waterproofing.
Exterior
As the term suggests, exterior waterproofing is a method done on the outside of your home. The primary purpose of this method is to block water and prevent it from making its way to your home. Exterior drainage systems and use of a waterproof barrier to coat the exterior walls are some methods used for this purpose.
Drainage
Problems in the drainage usually lead to basement moisture. The poor and damaged drainage system should be repaired for it to be fully functional again. You can also install a drainage system in your home if you have none yet.
Every situation is unique and requires a particular approach. You need to know what exact waterproofing problem is happening in your home so that an effective method can be used. Call the basement waterproofing Syracuse trusts for professional yet affordable wet basement solutions.