How To Stop Water Leaking In Basement
This article discusses how to stop water leaking in basement, which is a common problem of many homes. Wet basements, especially after heavy rains is a common complaint of homeowners because it is common for new homes to have these leaks after 10 to 15 years. There are various causes of damp basements and each cause requires its own specific solution. It is important to know how to stop water leaking in basement because delaying its solution may allow it to worsen and to require more costly measures.
The possible causes of water leaks in basements include cracks in the block walls, the wide gap between the walls and the floor, cracks in the concrete walls, leaks in the joints between the floor and the wall, cracks in the concrete floor, leads around water pipes, water seeping through porous brick wall or through concrete walls, leaks in the expansion control joints, and failure of the sump pump. It should be noted that it is vital to repair these leaks before you can implement one of the basement finishing ideas and convert this part of the home into a livable space. Most of the above causes can be remedied through the use of a concrete sealer. But for the cracks, you will need to repair them with kits that are available in hardware stores.
One of the key principles to be applied on how to stop water leaking in basement, particularly those that are caused by heavy rains, is to ensure that the rain water is kept away from the foundation. One way to do this is to layer more soil or mulch around the sides of the foundation such that the soil is sloping away. Another way is to make sure that the rain gutters are clean from any debris or leaves and that the downspouts lead the water away from the foundation. The provision of splash blocks can help in preventing rainwater from going into the foundation. As for the asphalt driveway, make sure that you repair the cracks using a patching compound. And for the window wells, you can place window well covers or you can place drain pipes under them that lead the water away from the foundation. You may also need to apply waterproofing to the concrete driveway, sidewalks and patios.
Another important factor to know on how to stop water leaking in basement is to allow grass to grow around the foundations instead of vegetables, flowers, bushes and trees. You can also construct low berms or dig superficial swales to lead the rainwater away from the foundation. Another strategy is to dig a three-foot deep hole about 10 feet or more from the foundation. You fill the hole with gravel so that rainwater will sink into this hole during heavy rains instead of soaking into the foundation and into the basement. If you are able to solve water leaks in the basement, you will be one step closer to applying your finish basement designs and possibly converting your basement into livable space.
