If you’ve been wondering why basements leak, we’ve got you covered. Here are five points that will help explain what’s happening.
- As the ground around your basement becomes saturated with water, pressure builds against the structure (62.4 lbs. per cubic foot of pressure to be exact). The rising water then seeks cracks and weak points in the foundation caused by the natural expansion and contraction of concrete.
- Whoever built your home likely installed exterior footer drains and applied a tar or asphalt-type substance in order to meet local building codes and minimize water leakage. Exterior footer drains can malfunction, though, forcing water under the footer. This produces hydrostatic pressure under the floor and eventually forces water up through the floor cracks.
- Your home’s exterior footer and basement walls were poured separately. This produces a natural seam (cove) that water seeks and is one of the most common sources of water problems.
- The original waterproofing coating on basement walls tends to become dry and brittle over time, leaving cracks in the coating. Water will penetrate these cracks and fill the cavities inside the blocks. Often this water will sit and stagnate, producing excessive amounts of mold and mildew.
- Due to the porous nature of concrete, bleeding and sweating will occur once water comes in contact with the concrete. This is also a result of the deteriorating waterproofing membrane.
When you get right down to it, basements leak.
They were basically built to leak! Learn more about our basement waterproofing solutions.