Dealing With Runoff Leaking Into Your Basement
What is runoff? Runoff is basically rainwater or melting snow that seeps through the soil around your house and collects near your foundation. This is normal, but when you have cracks or gaps in your foundation, the water can find its way into your basement.
How do you know if your leaky basement is caused by runoff? Runoff is the most common cause of a wet basement, and it’s one of the easiest cases of wet basement to diagnose. If your basement only gets wet immediately after a storm, the problem is most likely due to runoff.
Another way to figure out if runoff is the problem, is to check for ways the runoff may be entering your basement. If your basement isn’t finished, this can be pretty easy. Look for unsealed in the floors or walls, or where the floor meets the walls. These cracks and gaps are the likely entry points for the excess moisture.
If you don’t have a mold problem yet, there are a few simple things you can try to fix your runoff problem. If you do have a mold problem, it’s in your best interest to call a foundation repair company to immediately begin the mold remediation process. Mold can release dangerous toxins into the air that can damage your health. It is important to call professionals to ensure that all the mold is removed from your basement.
Otherwise, try patching the cracks you see in the basement with a polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement. If you problem isn’t a serious groundwater issue, the plugs may prevent water from oozing through these cracks into your basement.
Another relatively simple solution is to clean your gutters and install gutter extensions. These two steps can help to disperse water, so that the water doesn’t collect near the foundation. Properly installed gutters should be draining water at least four feet away from the house.
If these relatively simple DIY steps are not working, you may need to call in a professional to assess the problem. Professional solutions may include regarding soil to create a proper slope away from the house, complete basement waterproofing, and installing water drainage systems around the house.
AA Action Waterproofing is a local foundation repair company with the experience to handle the unique soil and weather conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region, and every waterproofing project comes with a lifetime warranty.