A wet basement isn’t only nasty to smell or gross to step in, but it also puts the value of your home at great risk. Mostly left unchecked, groundwater can easily seep into the surface of your basement, making it the perfect environment for mold to thrive in. Here’s everything you must do to keep groundwater from leaking through the foundation and into your basement.
1. Add Gutter Extensions
Are the downspouts channeling water at least four feet away from your house? If no, install metal gutter extensions to guide the water between four to six feet away from the basement of your house. While installing the gutter extensions, also make sure to clean the gutter so that they don’t overflow or cause the pipe to burst.
2. Patch the Cracks in the Foundation
In case you have spotted groundwater seeping into your basement through gaps and cracks around the underground plumbing pipes via the foundation, use a polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement to cover the openings before it ends up flooding the space. However, note that polyurethane caulk is only effective in blocking minor and newer cracks. If you are dealing with large cracks, we recommend contacting a professional or a foundation repair specialist to fix the problem.
3. Repair Footing Drains
Another common sign of water damage in the basement is water seeping through the seam where the floor meets the wall. This usually happens when hydrostatic pressure pushes up water from the ground. In this case, start by checking the footing drains of your home. When doing so, make sure to check whether the installed underground drainage pipes are working properly or not.
In case the drainage system is blocked, open it up and get it cleaned by a professional before the water damage leads to mold growth.
4. Pump the Water
Failed to keep the groundwater out from your basement? Create an interior drainage system to pump the water out. You can simply do this by making a channel around the floor, chipping out the concrete, and laying a perforated pipeline in the hole. Make sure that the pipe drains the water to the collection tank, where you have a sump pump installed that will shoot it out of your home.
Contact STOP Restoration of Spokane
Is your basement flooded? Do not waste a moment and contact the water damage team at STOP Restoration of Spokane right away. The water damage restoration professionals will arrive on time, inspect the water damage, and develop a customized plan according to your needs. The professionals will use industry-grade tools and techniques to eliminate the source of groundwater, dry up your basement, and minimize the chances of future water damage. Click here to visit their website.
