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Where Basem*nts Leak, How They Leak, And How To Stop It
The key to any serious problem is to eliminate it at its source. In the case of a wet basem*nt, the source of the problem is the point where water enters your home.
However, finding this problem is often easier said than done. Water can leak into a basem*nt from various points, each with their own cause and solution. In some cases, as with finished basem*nts, you may need a professional to determine exactly what kind of water problem you have.
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Locate The Leak In Your Basem*nt
Basem*nt leaks can come from nearly any point in the walls or floors, including through cracks, around pipes, and through entryway points from the outdoors.
Below is a list of the seven most common sources of basem*nt leaks, as well as the solutions we offer to solve them:
Flooding Through The Wall-Floor Joint
The most common way that water leaks into a basem*nt is through the basem*nt wall-floor joint. This is the point where the basem*nt walls meet the floor, which is poured separately from the walls for most basem*nts.
This joint is usually the weakest point when hydrostatic pressure leads to water pressure against the basem*nt walls, and severe flooding can occur in the basem*nt through this point.
To stop this kind of water intrusion, a drainage system should be installed along either the interior or exterior perimeter of the foundation. This drain will collect the water and either direct it to a sump pump system, or it will direct it downhill away from the foundation.
At Basem*nt Systems, we prefer to install interior drainage systems. Exterior systems require the entire outside perimeter of your home to be dug out, which is expensive, time-consuming, and damaging to your landscaping. Exterior systems also tend to clog with mud and debris, and when they do, the only way to access those drains is to dig out around the foundation again.
Interior drain systems are about half the price of exterior methods, and they install in about a day. The system is easily accessible for service, and it installs with no need to disrupt your landscaping. These systems have been used in tens of thousands of basem*nts by Basem*nt Systems contractors over the past 20 years, and we find them to be a lasting, highly effective way to waterproof a basem*nt.
More about Perimeter Drainage Systems
Wet Basem*nt Floors
When a hole was excavated to make room for your basem*nt, the soils that were excavated were hard-packed, settled soils that had been there for, perhaps, hundreds or thousands of years.
After the home is built, some of that soil is poured back, to fill in the gap underneath the floor and around the foundation walls. This soil will always be lighter and more "fluffed" than the hard-packed soil around it.
Because of this, water will absorb more readily in these soils around your foundation than in the untouched soils beyond. This creates a "clay bowl effect", in which the water pools around your home. This water will try to enter your basem*nt through whatever way it can.
If floors have cracks, this gives it the opening it needs to enter your home and flood your basem*nt. A perimeter drainage system will still be able to collect this water, intercepting it before it floods underneath your home. However, if your floor has a large crack that is leaking excessively, we may also run a drain from that crack (known as a "lateral line") to your perimeter system.
More about the Leaky Floors
Leaky Walls, Cracks & Pipe Penetrations
Water can make its way through the walls in four ways:
- Through cracks in concrete walls
- In around improperly sealed pipe penetrations
- Through gaps in grout in stone walls
- Seeping through concrete walls themselves
Provided that there is no foundation problem, The first two of these can be solved with our FlexiSpan® wall repair system.
The FlexiSpan® includes a special polyurethane polymer, which is injected into the crack. This injection should stop 95% of the leakage. Then, a foam strip directs any excess water down into a special dry well created during installation.
Next, the dry well is covered over with concrete, and a covering is placed on top of the covering for a professional, tooled-off look.
The best way to handle #3 and #4 on the list is to cover the walls with a waterproof covering that tucks into the waterproofing system. These walls can be tucked into your drainage system at the bottom, directing water on your walls to your sump pump. The result? A long-lasting solution to your problem that keeps your basem*nt looking great!
More about our FlexiSpan® Wall Repair SystemMore about our Waterproof Basem*nt Walls
Water From Hatchway Entrances
Many homeowners complain that water is entering through to their home through the basem*nt door from the outside. Alternately, water may enter through the door of a walk-in basem*nt, or through a garage door entrance.
In cases such as these, we can extend a perimeter drainage system across the doorway, using a specialized drain that includes a grated opening on top.
The grated opening will intercept the water before it enters your basem*nt, directing it to your sump pump. The water is kept out of your home, protecting everything inside.
More about the TrenchDrain Waterproofing System
Basem*nt Window Flooding
Basem*nt windows often flood as the windows themselves corrode and water pools outside.
If your basem*nt window wells are clogged and filling with snow, ice, or water, this will make the situation much worse.
One good way to repair a leaking window is to replace the window with a new, energy efficient window, along with a covered window well.
With new basem*nt windows and window wells, you'll be protected from leaks, while the window improves your energy efficiency, and the window well cover stops the cold winter air.
If you're not interested in replacing your basem*nt windows and window wells, you can instead install a drain from the window to your drainage system. This will capture water, directing it to your sump pump.
More about our Window Drainage
Failing Water Heaters
A water heater can be expected to fail approximately every seven years. When they do, it will often result in water leaking directly on to the basem*nt floor.
We can address a potential flood from a failing water heater by installing a plastic ring around the unit. If you have a perimeter drain, the ring will drain into your waterproofing system, and ultimately to your sump pump.
If you have no perimeter basem*nt waterproofing system, we'll place a small water sensor inside the ring. If your water heater floods, it will sound off, notifying you of the leak.
More about our Water Heater Flood Protection
Bursting Washer Hoses
Washing machine pipes are meant to be turned on when the washer is in use -- and off when it is no longer being used. If you have old-fashioned rubber washing machine hoses and do not do this, you're at risk of a big flood.
Washer hoses are not designed to take the continuous 60-80psi of pressure that is exerted against them at all times. If they burst, as much as 650 gallons of water can burst out!
There are cases where Basem*nt Systems dealers have seen water rise up to the windows, due to broken washing machine hoses.
We Stop Basem*nt Leaks Where They Start!
By stopping the water before it enters your basem*nt space, at every point where it might enter your basem*nt, we can assure that your basem*nt stays dry -- all the time!
We'd like to offer a free, written basem*nt waterproofing estimate to any homeowner within our service area with a basem*nt water problem. Each of our free estimates includes a personal on-site inspection, written estimate, and a copy of our full-color waterproofing book. To schedule your estimate, contact us by phone or e-mail today!
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Related Pages
- Keep The Basem*nt Dry!
- Leaking Monolithic Foundations
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