How to Stop Water from Seeping into my Basement?

Do you find getting the water out of your basement, the main concerns these days? Then, this blog is for you. Keep Reading!

One of the most common problems in homes with basements is water seeping inside and pooling on the floor. There are several things that cause basement wetting. Usually, wet basements occur during the winter months or after heavy rains.

If left unchecked, basement moisture not only can ruin floors and walls but can even encourage mold and can damage the roofing as well. So, the only question coming in your mind right now is how to stop water from seeping into my basement?

Basement waterproofing can work wonders in solving these problems. But before going deep into this, let’s discuss some of the essential points that you need to know about your leaking basement.

Reasons for Water Seeping Inside Your Basement:

Water can enter your basement through many channels. Let’s analyze each of them:

1. Over Walls:

If your home has poor drainage, rainwater and snow water can enter your basement from the top of your foundation walls. Therefore, it’s recommended to opt for professional drainage and excavation services to build a drainage plan that can divert rainwater away from buildings into proper groundwater channels.

2. Construction Holes:

The holes left during the time of construction increases the chances of water entering into the basement. If there are any cracks in your foundation, they can also form channels for water to enter.

3. Sump Pump Failures:

A sump pump is in sync with the pump permanently installed in your basement. If your sump pump connects to sanitary sewers, it is likely to cause a sewage backup in the basement. However, poor sump pump maintenance, power failure or clogged discharge lines allow water in the basement.

4. Honeycomb:

If you have a poured solid foundation, inadequately blended cement can prompt air pockets that a structure that resembles a honeycomb. As water rushes against these honeycombs, they can cause openings or even splits in your foundation that permits water in the basement.

5. Floor Cracks:

Pressure from the water beneath your home can cause cracks in the basement floor, which leads to water coming up through the basement. This pressure is due to poor drainage and dirt soil. If you have water in the basement after the rain has stopped, then it may cause floor cracks.

6. Sewer Lines:

Sewer pipes can let water into your basement in several different ways. Whether your sewer line goes through your foundation floor and wall, the seal may weaken over time and allow water in. The joints between your drain pipes and your main sewer line may also wear out, allowing wastewater to seep into your basement.

The worst-case scenario is that your sewer lines back up, allowing sewage to flood your basement. A blockage in your main sewer line is the most likely cause of a sewage backup. However, heavy rains are also likely to cause a problem. Routing gutters and downspouts in sanitary sewers can lead to an overload of water flowing through the system, leading a backup.

Related Post – Is Sewage Backup Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

Whether due to a blockage or heavy rains, municipal sewers can also back up too.

1. Plumbing Leaks: Leaky plumbing is another common cause of water in the basement. Many pipes run through the basement, carrying clean water to sinks, toilets, and bathtubs and carrying wastewater away from drains. A frozen and burst water pipe is also possible during extremely cold weather.
2. Water Supply Lines: Similar to sewer lines, water supply lines can also result in water in your basement. The seals around your water supply line may weaken over time. While a supply line issue is likely to cause catastrophic water damage, it’s more likely the valve on your supply line will develop a slow leak.

Now, that you know the reasons for water seeping inside your basement. It is vital to understand the crucial steps of avoiding it. Let’s understand each of them in detail:

How Do You Waterproof a Basement from Inside?

There are 4 methods for waterproofing basement walls from inside. Read each of the points to know which method can help you out.

1. Concrete Waterproofing Coatings:

These are the ones with a cement-like thick coating. They are a long-lasting solution for your concrete and masonry walls. Moreover, while applying it you can swirl the brush and give an attractive yet finished look.

2. Using Densifiers aka Silicate-Based Concrete Sealers:

They are best suited for walls that haven’t been sealed or painted. It works best with concrete or brick because the sealers get soaked in the concrete and chemically react with the ingredients, thus forming a hard and waterproof surface. The best part is they can’t get peeled or flaked off.

3. Waterproofing Paint:

It is an acrylic formula. It is sprayed or brushed off much more thickly than the ordinary wall paint. 1 gallon covers 75 square feet, unlike the standard paint that typically covers 300 square feet. You can always ask expert basement waterproofing companies to look into it more precisely.

4. Using Plastic Sheets and Panels:

They are suitable for waterproofing interior basement drainage systems. They not only stop water from getting through the walls but also prohibit it from ruining your important things in the basement.

Expert Advice: None of these products will work for basement waterproofing until and unless the gaps and cracks are properly sealed. Hence, it is essential to opt for professional basement wall crack repair, if you are unable to understand how to control it.  

How Do You Waterproof a Basement Exterior Wall?

Exterior basement waterproofing is a highly effective waterproofing method. It helps in stopping the water before it enters your basement. This varies a lot from interior waterproofing in both the scope of repair and the concept. It can be done on basements with both poured concrete or masonry block walls.

This type of waterproofing involves digging out the dirt around basement walls, using a moisture barrier and placing a specially designed dimple board that diverges water away from the wall.

5 Main Exterior Basement Waterproofing Steps:

1. Installation of an exterior moisture barrier & dimple board on the exterior basement wall to transport water to the drainage system
2. Moisture membrane provides protection from outside water table and seepage
3. 3/4” washed gravel replaces dirt to relieve built-up hydrostatic pressure and ensure water passage to the footer drainage system
4. Footer drain is placed outside of the home to safely discharge water away from the foundation
5. Sump pump installation with available dual pumps or gravity discharge as needed

Important Considerations

1. Work performed outside, no disturbance to the interior of your basement, making it a great choice for homeowners with finished basements
2. A sump pump system is sometimes recommended, but may not be necessary
3. Longer installation time compared to interior waterproofing
4. Products are serviceable
5. Includes exterior wall waterproofing with moisture barrier, dimple board, and exterior drainage

What is the Best Basement Waterproofing Method?

When it comes to basement leak repair, there is no single fix-all solution. The basement waterproofing method depends on the type and severity of the damage. Both the sources of water damage– external and internal, also play a significant role in determining the best waterproofing method.

Below are the 3 most important methods that can work as a miracle for your basement.

1. Interior Water Drainage:

It is the most effective basement waterproofing method. With a drainage system, you can avoid water build-up in your basement, moving water from the house foundation and out below the basement floor.

You can ask professionals to install Interior drainage systems. It takes a day or two to install interior drainage systems. The best part is they are much more affordable than any other basement waterproofing system.

2. Interior Sealants:

Although they are not the exact basement waterproofing tool, they can definitely work as a temporary material for keeping your basement area dry. They ensure that the atmospheric humidity level in the basement stays low. It also helps in preventing moisture from spilling to other parts of the house.

3. Exterior Basement Waterproofing:

Contractors use costly and extensive ways for basement waterproofing usually at the time of construction. This method is used at the initial stage and is designed to prevent water from letting any major structural damage to your house or building.

In this process, polymers and membranes are used to coat the exterior basement walls. But, using this approach on an existing home can be challenging and may even hinder the exterior drains, thus limiting its effectiveness.

How Much Does it Cost to Waterproof Your Basement?

Basement waterproofing cost generally between $1,920 to $6,320 or between $3 and $9 per square foot if materials and labor are being used. If the interior basement repair doesn’t require excavation, then it will cost around $500 to $1,500, and if there are large extensive repairs with drainage and foundation issues, then $10,000 or more are required.

How Long Does Basement Waterproofing Last?

If water is seeping through basement walls and is making it wet and musty, basement waterproofing is the only solution that can work wonders. There are several factors contributing to your wet basement.

In general, basement waterproofing methods include: waterproofing primers and paints for both the interior and the exterior (which effectively act as sealants), crack injections, exterior excavation waterproofing (such as a French drain system) and interior excavation waterproofing (a sump pump).

This means that the length of time that basement waterproofing lasts varies depending upon the method(s) used.

Crack injections and waterproofing primers are not permanent, but usually, these products have a warranty of ten years. Moreover, if they are correctly applied, they can last even longer.

Professional basement waterproofing ensures that the proper method is being used, thereby extending its lifespan. Hence, it is a must to think of all the options before doing a significant investment.

Is Waterproofing a Basement Worth It?

Getting an ROI is one of the most relevant expectations while availing home services and repairs. You always want to get the best value for every dollar spent; after all, these services don’t come cheap.

If you are wondering about the return on investment for your waterproofing basement walls, you can expect about 30% ROI from a basement waterproofing job. This is a genuine ROI value in addition to the many benefits it confers on your home.

Does Insurance Cover Basement Waterproofing?

If there is regular water seepage in the basement and you want to know whether it gets covered in your insurance or not, then, unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple. There are too many variables involved.

You can begin determining if the particular leak is covered by diagnosing the source of the leak. The good news is most of the basement leaks are covered by insurance and the bad news is that the worst leaks are often left uncovered.

Related Post – Will Your Home Insurance Policy Cover Water Damage To Your Home?

Usually, home insurance covers most of the damages from internal sources. But, external water sources are almost never covered by average home insurance. Moreover, flood insurance doesn’t cover every basement leak. If the insurance agency analyzes your water intervention as groundwater, you can expect them not to cover it.

Conclusion:

In this blog, we looked at each of the aspects related to water seeping inside your basement. From monitoring it to the precautions, everything has been taken care of in the blog. Moreover, we offer answers to the commonly asked questions related to basement waterproofing.

If you have water in your basement or are want to consult professionals regarding basement waterproofing, get in touch with Dry Effect – the best damage restoration company near you. Our technicians are experts in solving all your water damage related problems.

For emergency water removal in Cincinnati, call at 513-763-2121, Northern KY at 859-757-2055 for a free estimate and immediate response. You can even get a free quote by visiting our website at www.dryeffect.com