A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

There are plenty of homes out there with leaky basements. Many homeowners just assume their basement will be dark and damp. Maybe the concrete floor has a crack, or the foundation leaks a bit, or perhaps there is a leak where the pipes go through the basement walls. Through a towel on that, clean that right up and you’re all set right? Wrong.

Even if you don’t have a finished basement, even if the water doesn’t bother anything at all, you should take basement leaks seriously. Here's why:

Insects - There are many insects that seek out dark and damp areas including termites, cockroaches and spiders. We aren’t just talking about not liking bugs here. Termites and wood boring beetles, can damage your home. But insects can also cause health problems and they very challenging to get rid of without taking serious steps that involve harsh chemicals.

Health Problems - Mold and mildew dark and damp places, and damp basements are the perfect habitat. Mold can have serious effects on your family’s health, especially if there are asthma or allergies involved. Mold can increase the asthma attacks and itchy, watery eyes.

Integrity of your Foundation - A small wall or floor crack may seem harmless. But that crack may be hiding something bigger that you just can’t see.  If your doors aren’t shutting right floors are starting to warp this could be a result of the leak in your basement.

Resale value – Adding a basement to the list of amenities of your home when you  go to sell is a huge advantage. However, listing a home that has water damage in the basement is a big red flag. With all the homes on the market, and all the choices buyers have today, your home needs to be as enticing as ever to attract buyers.

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In order to know how to waterproof a basement, you need to know how water enters the basement. There are many different ways water can enter the basement:  floor / wall joint, floor or wall crack, or through the bulkhead, to name a few.

Here we are going to talk about how water enters through the floor/wall joint.

The floor/wall joint is the most common entry source of water entering the basement. This is where the foundation wall meets the floor. The water comes in from the outside over the footing under the foundation wall and through where the foundation wall and floor converge. This is seen mostly when it rains. Water may seep in from other locations, but the most heavy water intrusion will be from the floor/wall joint.

When one concrete structure is poured (the floor) and another concrete structure is poured on it or next to it (the wall), a seam is created between the two concrete structures. Each concrete structure (the footing, the wall and the floor) is poured separately. There is a seam between each of these three structures. This allows the potential for water to come into the basement. There are four potential points of entry now: over the foundation footing, between the foundation walls, underneath the foundation and up through the seams between the foundation footing and the floor. This floor/wall joint seepage is very common and is a predominant reason for basement flooding.

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A leaky basement can be a nightmare. Regular dampness can cause mold growth and musty smells, stored items can be ruined, and the foundation of your home can even be damaged by regular water.  If you have moisture, drips, seepage, or other water related issues in your basement, you need to get it sealed and dried out fast, before bigger problems develop.

The first step to eliminating the moisture problems in your basement is to identify the source of the water. Once you have located where the water is entering the building, you can resolve the problem.

Drainage Problems

Exterior drainage issues can be a major source of water in your basement; if water is brought away from your foundation, it can work its way inside. If you notice water flowing toward your house on rainy days, have blocked or malfunctioning gutters, or can see any signs of erosion, you likely have drainage problems. Some drainage problems are easy to fix: clean and repair your gutters if they aren't working. Pay special attention to downspouts, and be sure that they are directing water away from your house. Other drainage issues can be more difficult to fix. If it isn’t the gutters, you'll want to consult a professional basement waterproofing company. They will be able to identify problematic water patterns.
 
Basement Leaks

Water can also work its way into your basement through cracks or crevices in your foundation. This type of problem usually manifests itself as a visible break or fracture, a trickle of water, or a damp spot. Basement leaks can also be caused by porous foundations. There doesn't necessarily have to be a crack for water to be seeping in. You have a number of options for waterproofing your basement and A1 Foundation Crack Repair, waterproofing specialists, can provide professional basement sealing results.

Make sure you address water problems in your basement promptly; instead of assuming that they will go away on their own, foundation water problems frequently snowball into moisture and mold crises. Take the time to identify and resolve the source of the moisture-you won't regret it.

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Just because you don't see any water doesn't mean that the water is gone. The water is sitting either in your wall or just behind your wall which will lead to major health problems if not removed. Think about that cooler in your garage that you forgot to empty a week or two ago.  Recall the growth? The smell?  Consider that cooler year round behind the walls of you or your kid's bedroom.  It's neither pleasant nor health. 

That's is similar to what is happening this very moment in thousands of homes throughout the Northeast.  If you are currently (or have ever for that matter) witnessed even a little bit of water coming into your basement, you can rest assured that there is a lot more water sitting behind your wall.  This is because it takes significant pressure to push water into your basement the first time. But once water breaks through, the avenue only widens with time. 

If you do not seal your basement then mold will start to grow.  You will likely smell it before you see it. Have you ever been in a basement that was not leaking and smelled a damp musty smell? That's because the basement walls have been compromised and water has caused mold to grow inside of the walls.  Mold can and likely will lead to health problems if not taken care of. Consider the fact that home furnaces are commonly placed in basements, sucking in the ambient air down there, and systematically spreading mold spores into each and every room of the house.
 
The bottom line for the safety of you and your family is this.  If you smell musty air in your basement, have your home checked for water, mold, and mildew.  It really is that simple.  

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A wet basement can create various problems around your home over time. Besides odors the dampness in a wet basement can damage the structure of your home, and present a health risk to your family. Mold and bacteria thrive in a wet basement and cause these other problems. In fact, if you notice musty odors coming from your basement, you can be sure mold and bacteria are present. Use the following  to get rid of bacteria in your wet basement.

Equipment You will Need

• Soap or cleaning solution of your choice
• Bleach
• Bucket
• Hot water
• Sponge or rag
• Latex gloves
• Protective face mask
• Water pump (optional item, to be used if there is a great deal of water in your basement)

Determine the Source of Your Leak - You may not actually see the mold, especially if it grows under carpeting or insulation. Even so, you will need to quickly determine the source of the dampness. Water in your basement can come from many sources, such as leaking irrigation or sprinkler pipes,  or flooding due to heavy rain or snow. It can also come from plumbing fixtures located on the floor above your basement, or from cracks in your foundation.

Remove Accumulated Water - As soon as you determine the source of the water leak or flooding, remove it as quickly as possible. Attending to your wet basement quickly will limit the opportunity for mold and bacteria to grow.  If only a small amount of water has accumulated, you can wipe it up with a sponge or rag dipped in hot, soapy water. If you need to remove a large amount of water, you will need to use a water pump. If the flooding has caused the leak, you will want to take particular precaution in being exposed to the water, as it could carry contamination from garbage or sewage. When cleaning up flood water, be sure to use protective equipment, including latex gloves and a face mask.

Disinfect the Area - After removing the initial water that has entered your basement, scrub the entire area with soap and water. Then wash down the area with a commercial disinfectant or with bleach diluted with water. Again, make sure you use protective equipment. Dispose of any damp carpeting, wood or other material that you cannot dry out and thoroughly clean.

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A simple quick test to determine if you are having a water leak through your foundation wall is to tape a piece of plastic or tin foil to the wall where you suspect water is coming in. Make sure you tape down all the sides, and then wait a few days. If beads of moisture have formed on the inside of the foil/plastic and between it and the wall, you have a leak coming through that wall. If there is moisture on the outside of the foil/plastic, your basement is suffering from a moisture problem.

Condensation is a result of too much moisture in the air. When there is too much moisture in your basement, the coolness of the walls pulls the moisture out of the air and the water droplets sit on the walls, metal, and other cool surfaces, creating a damp basement.

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