Why You’re Having Basement Waterproofing Problems – Columbus, OH

Basement Waterproofing

Have you had a basement waterproofing system installed? Are you still experiencing basement moisture problems?

Many homeowners find that they still encounter moisture problems even after spending thousands of dollars to have their basement waterproofed. This often occurs when certain aspects of the home or waterproofing process are overlooked. These include the following:

  1. Improper grading of the surrounding grounds

Water flows down a slope. If your landscape slopes toward your foundation, water in the soil, run off and melted snow will flow toward the foundation. This results in increased pressure against the foundation walls and eventual damage to the foundation.

  1. Clogged gutters

Gutters help to collect run off from roofs and direct it to the downspouts where it is guided away from the home. This ensures your home remains dry. Gutters may become clogged with leaves and other debris if they are not cleaned regularly. Water will spill from the gutters if they are clogged. This results in flooding near the foundation.

  1. Ineffective downspouts

Downspouts guide runoff from roofs away from the foundation. However, if the downspouts do not deposit water far away enough (at least 6 feet away from the foundation), they will cause water to collect near the foundation.

  1. Clogged footing drains

A French drain around the perimeter of the foundation is necessary to prevent flooding and ease hydrostatic pressure acting on the foundation walls. If the footing drains are clogged or inadequate, you are likely to experience flooding in your basement. It is therefore important to ensure proper drain installation practices.

  1. Leaking plumbing

Plumbing leaks, whether interior or exterior, contribute to water damage. They will cause an increase in hydro-static pressure acting against the foundation.

  1. Unresolved cracks in the floors and walls

Many homeowners choose to ignore wall and floor cracks if they are not leaking. However, cracks only get worse with time. Those seemingly dry cracks are bound to let water through eventually. It is therefore wise to attend to these cracks as soon as you notice them. You will avoid having to invest in expensive repairs later.

Basement waterproofing is about much more than simply having a waterproof membrane installed. There are various other aspects of the home that also need to be attended to in order to ensure long term results. Hiring a professional will help to ensure that all these aspects are considered during the waterproofing process.