The Cause Of Your Leaky Basement Might Not Be In The Basement
When people first notice that they have a leaky or flooded basement, the first instinct is to look in the basement itself. After all, how else could all of that water gotten in there? Unfortunately, locating the source isn’t always that simple. Yes, you should definitely look around for leaking pipes, broken windows, or bowed walls, but sometimes the cause of all of your problems isn’t in your basement at all.
Dirty Or Broken Rain Gutters
Rain gutters actually play an incredibly important role in keeping water out of your basement. Think about it: gutters line the roof of your home, roll down the sides of the house, and push water away from the base of your home. Without them, water would just fall right next to your house, saturating the ground and allowing excess water to creep its way into cracks of your home or through windows. The same happens when your gutters are clogged with dirt, twigs, and leaves, or if they’re broken entirely—water falls directly down, right above the foundation of your home. Maintaining working gutters and cleaning them twice a year or, better yet, every season, can literally save you thousands of dollars in damage. Getting rid of water, mold, pests, or going through the process of foundation repair is a time intensive and expensive process that you can prevent.
Additionally, you may want to consider extending your downspouts. If your gutters simply terminate at ground level, you’re still dealing with a lot of water getting dumped right next to the foundation of your home. Directing water even further away from your home to a dry well, storm sewer, or even your garden could eliminate a lot of your problems.
Check The Grading Of Your Landscape
Sometimes it is simply where your house rests in relation to the way the land lies that can contribute to excess water. Generally, contractors who finish a house grade the soil around the home to prevent any issues like this, allowing water and snowmelt to run off and away from the home. However, if there is a negative slope, or a grade that runs toward the house, this increases the chances of saturation.
Home Improvements
We make home improvements to increase the beauty and comfort of your home, and of course they do add to the overall value. They can, however, sometimes harm our home in ways we couldn’t expect. For example, adding planting boxes or retaining walls close to the foundation can retain water, and without properly designed openings to allow for drainage, this beautiful landscaping addition can send water into the basement. Additional patios, decks, sidewalks, and other construction near the foundation must also be properly sloped and sealed, otherwise they can send waterflow in the direction of the foundation. People often want to do these types of projects themselves, but a professional is much more aware of these small details that can have a big impact on the home.
Window Wells
A clogged window well drain is a recipe for disaster, so make sure to cover yours with a custom cover to prevent debris from falling into it. Window well covers are a must for homeowners—not only will it keep leaves and dirt out, but it will also prevent animals or children from falling in it as well. Covering the window well keeps the drain free to do its job and keep your basement dry.
Are you trying to find the source of your leaking, flooded basement? We can help! Call AA Action Waterproofing today at 888-922-5517 to see how to prevent further damage to your home.