Three Sources Of Basement Water Damage And How To Stop Them
Posted on: 11 March 2019
Water damage can cause significant damage to your home, as water can structurally damage most materials that it is exposed to, while also promoting the growth of mold – which can cause serious health implications after the fact if not properly dealt with immediately. Your basement is the part of your house that is most at risk of suffering from water damage, since all water drains downhill and your basement is literally located below ground. Being aware of the most common sources of potential water damage in your basement, and which basement waterproofing methods are best suited to deterring water damage from those sources, can help you avoid costly repairs and unnecessary headaches.
Plumbing Damage
By far the most common reason why your basement may suffer from water damage is because of a plumbing leak. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including the general age of your plumbing, the development of a clog in your pipes, frozen pipes in the winter, and so on. In the case of a plumbing leak, the best sort of basement waterproofing systems that you want to have installed are floor drains and sump pumps, which will work to remove the worst of the water as the leak develops. However, if a leak does develop, you need to shut off your home's water supply immediately to minimize the damage that does occur, and a professional will have to come in to replace the damaged sections.
Roofing Issues
Believe it or not, the state of your roof's gutter system plays a huge role in protecting your basement from water damage. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow close to the sides of your home, and that water will be absorbed into the soil immediately surrounding the basement walls. As a result, over time that water can leach into and even flood your basement. Having vapor barriers installed around your foundation, or applying a sealant to the interior walls of your basement, are both good home waterproofing methods – but the best course of action is to regularly clean your gutters out.
Humidity
The last, but definitely not least, source of potential water damage in your basement is ambient moisture in the soil and air below ground. If your basement walls are not properly sealed, they can slowly allow moisture to seep into your basement, leading to higher humidity levels and small leaks. In fact, if humidity levels are able to get high enough, mold will be able to grow regardless of if there has actually been any water damage in your basement. Proper sealing of your basement walls, either through a concrete sealant or a vapor barrier, can prevent this from happening, as can the installation of a dedicated dehumidifier in your basement.
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