Signs of water infiltration in your basement can take many forms, such as the appearance of mold at the bottom of your walls. Excessive window condensation can also indicate abnormally high humidity levels, which can rot the frame, and water may even accumulate on the floor in more serious cases.
Rest assured, multiple solutions are available no matter the cause of water infiltration.
Water infiltration due to poor drainage
Poor water drainage along the edge of the foundation is one of the main causes of basement water infiltration. To drain water away from your home, make sure that the ground around it slopes away from the foundation at a rate of one inch per foot for at least the first six feet.
Seasonal maintenance of gutters and downspouts is also important to assure their proper functioning. If downspouts are suspected of being clogged, disconnected or broken below ground level, they should be redirected to drain water at least six feet from the building.
Water infiltration in the basement of a newer property
Even houses built in the last ten years are at risk of water infiltration in the basement, often due to shrinkage or settling cracks in cast concrete foundations. These cracks are not usually an indicator of structural problems, but a foundation inspection followed by repairs is ideal to avoid additional leaks.
The surface drain must first be checked. If the leak persists, the cracks can be sealed either by injecting an epoxy resin on the inside or by digging the floor next to the crack and then repairing it from the outside. If the house is less than two years old, basement crack repairs are often covered under warranty.
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Basement leaks are rarely structurally significant and can be controlled at a relatively low cost, but the presence of perimeter drain damage or a high water table may require extreme measures. These strategies should only be used if flooding occurs regularly and all drainage system improvements have been applied.
Excavation and foundation waterproofing is the approach generally chosen when deemed necessary. After digging to provide access to the foundation, a water-resistant membrane is installed to protect the concrete and keep the water out.
Water ingress test
If your basement is showing signs of water infiltration, contact a team of foundation repair specialists to perform a water ingress test and assess the severity of the situation. This will provide you with information to take the necessary measures to solve your infiltration problem once and for all.
