What does a wet basement mean?

 Wet Basement

A wet basement is a very common problem of homeowners that have a basement. A wet basement after all leads to water seepage, mold and mildew. A basement leak should be considered as serious problem. Any time you find that your  wet basement is a very common problem of homeowners that have a basement. A wet basement after all leads to water seepage, mold and mildew. A basement leak should be considered as serious problem. Any time you find that your basement walls are wet or damp, quick actions are required to prevent this matter from being out of control.

             With that being said, nothing is more frustrating to find a wet basement wall or a flooded basement, but unfortunately, it does happen all too many times. Even a basic wet basement repair is expensive. However, if you know what causes a damp or wet basement system, then you can often take action before the problem become worse

     Causes of a wet basement:                                                                                                                     

During basement construction, care you must be sure that the design of the basement is right for the house that is being built. There are many aspects and considerations to building a basement from the basement insulation to the flooring. One of the biggest is making sure the basement is not prone to dampness and flooding There are four reasons why a basement often suffers from water damage. They are:

1. Surface water running down the foundation walls into the basement.

2. Water saturated soil and ground water being pushed into the basement by pressure. This often is the case after heavy rains.

3. Water from the sewer system or other water sources getting backed up into the area around the home and leaking into the basement.

4. Sanitary sewer system water backing up in the home's drainage system and causing water to seep up through the sink drains in the lower levels of the home.

Ways To Prevent Basement Flooding

. It is very important to take preventive measures to keep you basement dry and away from the risk of getting flooded. Here are a few ways to prevent flooding and dampness in your basement:

 Control groundwater around foundation –

 An effectively functioning drainage system is the key to keep your basement dry. You should keep a check that no water is accumulated around the foundation of your house. This will help in preventing water from entering the basement. Blocked gutters increase the chances of basement flooding. Make sure that you keep all the gutters clean. During a hailstorm, walk around your home to check if the surface water is being directed towards your home.

 Direct downspout away from house 

 This will help in keeping the water away from the house structure.

 Redirect rainwater –

 You can hire a contractor to inspect your property and suggest ways to divert rainwater away from your home.

- Install sump pump - It is a must for houses that are at a risk of getting flooded. A sump pump acts like a floor drain to keep water leakage and rain water from building in the basement. You can buy an automatic or a manual pump as per your need. Also buy a back-up power source for your pump if there is no electricity during a storm.

- Seal the cracks - The flooring and walls of your basement may develop cracks over time. If the level of groundwater becomes high, water may leak through these cracks. Small cracks can be sealed easily from inside. If the cracks are large and deep, you should contact a professional to carry out the repair work.

- Understand the drainage system of your house - You can reduce the risk of basement flooding if you know a little about the drainage or plumbing system of your house. You can take the services of a licensed plumber who can conduct an inspection of your house and tell you about the way your foundation drainage works, where the sanitary sewer lateral is located and if your home has a storm sewer lateral.