Have you ever visited your basement and noticed that it is musty and damp? You might even see small rivers or puddles on the floor. However, how does water enter your basement?
For those who don’t know, water prefers to follow the path of least resistance. It also follows gravity. Thus, water would find its way in if there is an open space, crack, or gap.
Here are several common ways water can enter your basement:
Walk-Up Basement
Can you access your basement from the outside of your home? As we’ve mentioned, water will flow downward since it follows the path of least resistance. One ideal way for water to enter is through the stairs that lead to your basement.
Damp Air from Humidity
Compared to cold air, warm air is capable of holding more moisture. Air humidity, during the summer, can improve. This causes general dampness in your basement. Since basements are underground and the ground preserves warmth, they tend to be warmer than the rest of your home.
Undersized or Failed Pumps
In getting rid of excess water from your basement, a sump pump can do a lot of work. However, water could back up and flood a basement if the sump up isn’t working properly. Typically, a sump pump runs on a battery or electricity. It could result in a wet basement if the battery is dead or the power goes out. In addition to that, if a sump pump is extremely small to handle the amount of water in your basement, it will be considered undersized. This will leave you with a soggy mess.
Mortar Joints and Wall Cracks
Cracks in the space or wall at mortar joints can make the best entry points for water, just like floor cracks. Usually, one of the causes of cracked walls is the pressure coming from the surrounding soil. In addition to that, the basement walls can also be damaged by tree roots. If you notice cracks in the walls, it’s best to contact a professional Frisco Foundation Repair company to have it fixed.
Over the Sill Plate
Your house is anchored to the foundation by a sill plate. The exterior part of the sill plates will be covered by wall sheathing and siding. For those who don’t know, any area where two materials meet could leave space and gaps. This is ideal for water to get through.
Pipe Penetrations
Typically, a basement is utilized as the utility corridor of a house. This includes water pipes, gas lines, and heating ducts. Several homeowners also use their basement to store items such as utility sink or a bathroom, washing machine, or hot water heater. A damaged pipe could create a flood of water into your basement. on the other hand, a minor leak can only create a bit of dampness.
Window Wells and Windows
By its nature, windows are openings in the wall of your house. A window is vulnerable to water if it is ill-fitted, cracked, poorly sealed, or rotted.
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