Can Water Come Up Through Concrete Basement Floor?

Homeowners are very sensitive in terms of their physical and mental health. What could be more nerve-racking than having a wet and musty basement?  Water in basements puts homeowners in a serious dilemma as to how to face the trouble.

A leaky basement if not taken care of will throw you in a complex situation. Thus, a damp basement is not something to be ignored. Mostly cracks in walls and loose windows are blamed for basement leaks but what if the water is invading through any other route, particularly your concrete floor?

If water is coming up in your basement through the concrete floor, don’t be scared. A leaky basement is not only your story. Many people are coping with the wet situation you are in today.

Experiencing such a situation, you might want to call a basement waterproofing contractor. Before doing so, just wait!

In this article, we’ll help get to grips with the wet basement problem by unleashing some of the effective tips on dealing with the water problem.

Let’s first address a very basic question.

Can Water Come Up Through Concrete Basement Floor?

Water is a bitter foe of all the basements. YES, water around your foundation can come up through the concrete floor and can leave any material on its way soggy and damaged.

What are the things that you might observe when you have a flooded basement?

1. Wetness – Moisture build-up at the base of walls
2. Water spots– Discoloration of drywall, wood, etc.
3. Efflorescence – Appearance of “white powder” on the concrete floor and walls
4. Surface deterioration – Flaking off or cracking of wallpaper or paint
5. Musty Odors – Damp and musty odors indicating the hold of molds or mildew in your residence
6. Condensation – Accumulation of moisture due to high humidity on windows and concrete
7. Rain gutters – Plugged or damaged gutters and downspouts
8. Grading – Puddling of water due to inadequate (negative) grading

Why Basement Concrete Floors Start Leaking?

Let’s have a look at the four most appropriate reasons for water seepage through a concrete basement floor.

Porous concrete

Most importantly, it’s the porosity of the concrete floor that damages basements. If the water table leaps and reaches the underside of the floor/slab, it causes the water to bubble up through the pores and cracks resulting in a wet floor.

Drainage problem

Nothing could be more frustrating than your basement collecting water. Oftentimes, gutters and downspouts get plugged with leaves, dirt, and debris which dam up water at the base of your home.

Basement floor leaks may also be due to damaged sump pumps. When they are not functioning properly, water tables get disturbed and water slowly climbs up through the cracks and crevices into your basement.

Also, the roots of trees or shrubs may grow deep into a drain that can be an obstacle to proper drainage.

Leaking pipes

Leaky plumbing is a great source of wall and floor dampness. You regularly need to monitor your pipes and drains for leaks, clogs, and cracks, otherwise, the water that dribbles from these pipes will become a disaster that may compromise your health and home’s worth.

Groundwater seepage

Groundwater present under your foundation generally doesn’t enter your basement. But this is not always the case as water can be mischievous and it can travel up by cracking your walls and flooring.

The water level is not always fixed. It can rise or fall depending upon the weather conditions. During snowstorms and rainstorms, the water level tends to rise which can gain easy access to your basement.

Rainwater gets absorbed in the ground but when it rains heavily or snow melts, the surrounding soil becomes saturated with water. This let’s water to experience great hydrostatic pressure due to which it makes its way into your low-grade rooms through walls or floors.

So, the best explanation for water coming up through the concrete floor is the migration of groundwater (high levels of saturation in soil).

Tips On Dealing With Water Seeping Through Concrete Floor

1. Diagnose the water problem to locate the source of water
2. Insulate cold water pipes to prevent condensation
3. Plug holes, cracks, and crevices in walls using a concrete patching compound to create a water-resistant seal
4. Seal the porous concrete floor with a silicate-based sealant
5. Waterproof basement walls
6. Install sump pumps to drain water away from your house
7. Install an interior drainage system by tearing out a part of the concrete floor

Conclusion:

Homeowners often complain about damp and musty basements. Out of nowhere, if a problem like a wet basement sneaks up, it brings homeowners out in a sweat.

When you have a high-water table and insufficient drainage around your home’s base, you’re in a serious problem. It is the seepage of groundwater that brings about wet basements through concrete floors.

To protect your basement against water infiltration, basement waterproofing and foundation repairs need to be done for home’s structural security as well as for ensuring good health of the residents. If you find yourself in a damp basement call Cincinnati’s most trusted waterproofing experts, Dry Effect.