5 Surefire Solutions for Fixing Wet Basements

Removing water or moisture from your wet basements and fixing the underlying causes of the problem are some of the most important things you should do to safeguard your family’s health and protect your home’s value. Not only do wet basements feel and smell bad, they pose a risk to your health and the value of your home.

The mold that grows as a result of wetness can damage drywalls, floors and other structures and cause respiratory problems to your family. As well, the water and moisture that constantly seeps into your basement can cause wall bowing and cracks, damage the floor, and cause many other types of water damage in your home.

By hiring a professional basement repair contractor, you can effectively solve the problem of wet basements. Here are some things that your contractor will do to fix the issue.

1. Adding gutter extensions

One of the causes of your basement being persistently wet could be that your downspouts are dumping water too close to the foundation of the house. Your technician will fix this problem by guiding water further out by adding metallic or plastic gutter extensions.

To further improve drainage, it is necessary to install an underground drain pipe that will be able to move large amounts of gutter runoff further from the house.

2. Repairing footing drains

If water seeps into your basement through the walls or at the joints where the walls and the floor meet, the problem is hydrostatic pressure pressing water up from the soil that surrounds the basement’s walls.

Your repair technician will need to check whether footing drains and underground pipes were installed to help drain water away from the foundation of your house. If these systems are clogged, they will have to be cleared. If they are not working, they will need to be replaced.

3. Installing a French drain

A French drain is a common basement waterproofing solution. It is a channel that contains a perforated pipe that guides groundwater and surface runoff away from a building’s foundation.

4. Waterproofing the basement walls

Water and moisture are likely to seep into the basement from the soil that surrounds the basement. Waterproofing the basement by sealing the cracks will help prevent this seepage.

5. Reshaping the landscape

Your contractor will also work on a way to redirect water away from the foundation of your house or basement through landscaping. This is especially important if your house is located downslope or in an area that is prone to flooding.