You don’t need a large leak for water to begin collecting in your basement. Moisture seeps through cracks, holes, and other vulnerabilities easily. If you don’t stay on top of your basement’s waterproofing, you leave your home exposed to severe damage.
Many homeowners underestimate the importance of maintaining their basements and inspecting it for seepage issues. If you don’t spot leaks or seepage before it penetrates your home, the cost implications can be enormous.
In this article, we’re going to explore basement water seepage, why it matters, what causes it, and how you can prevent it from damaging your home.
Is Water Seeping into Your Basement?
Call Our Team Of Professional Waterproofers For a Free Quote
Water Leaking in Basement: Why it Matters
If you’ve never experienced a buildup of water in your basement, you might be wondering why it’s so controversial. While the idea of water in your basement sounds inconvenient, some consequences are far worse.
Let’s explore the issues that may arise if water seepage damages your home:
- Material Discoloration: Whether you have drywall, flooring, or any other type of material in your basement, water seepage can destroy your home’s aesthetics permanently.
- Mold and Mildew: Much of the discoloration in your basement’s materials will be due to mold and mildew growth, so it’s essential to understand the potential health effects. Mold and mildew cause respiratory issues and other illnesses–you don’t want to expose yourself or your household to this type of accumulation.
- Structural Issues: The most serious effect of prolonged water seepage is potential structural issues. If water collects in your basement, it can cause material expansion and a range of other problems. If you want to avoid expensive structural repairs to your home, never underestimate the importance of preventing and remediating leaks.
- Rodent and Insect Infestation: Pooled water attracts rodents, critters, and unwanted insects to your basement. It’s always a good idea to fix water seepage if you want to avoid the services of a pest control expert. The sooner you tackle it, the less chance you’ll have of exposing your home to unwanted visitors.
Water Seepage in Basement: Causes
If you want to fix water seepage or a leakage issue, it’s critical to understand the cause. If you can’t find the underlying source of water seepage, you don’t stand much chance of making permanent repairs.
There are three leading causes of water seepage in basements—foundation cracks, drainage issues, and window wells.
- Foundation Cracks: If the water level below your home rises or the soil surrounding your home grows saturated, it can begin applying pressure to your home’s base. As pressure increases, damage to your foundation develop cracks, holes, and other weaknesses create a convenient entry-point for water seepage.
- Drainage Issues: One of the most common causes of water seepage is a drainage issue. If you have landscaping that directs water towards your house, it can pool near your basement’s edge and penetrate your basement’s foundation or walls. It can also occur if your downspouts are too short to redirect water away from your home.
- Window Wells: If your windows or window wells have faults, it can become a hotspot for water seepage. Leaks, cracks, and other weaknesses allow water to enter your windows and accumulate in your basement. If your window well drainage isn’t operating correctly, it can also cause problems.
There are plenty of other reasons that you might find water seepage in your home. If you want to tackle the problem quickly, you need to identify the underlying cause. Feel free to contact our team at MT Drains & Plumbing if you need help finding the source of a seepage issue.
Basement Seepage Prevention
If you want to protect your home, it’s best to prevent moisture from entering in the first place. Even if you’ve already experienced water seepage issues, it’s good to form a prevention strategy that helps you avoid future issues.
Below, let’s look at some vital steps that you can take to prevent basement seepage:
- Inspection: Start by inspecting your basement for water seepage and determining if you have an issue. Look for some of the warning signs mentioned above, like discoloration, pests, warping, and organic matter. We recommend using our experienced plumber to assess your basement and identify the root of the problem.
- Drainage Adjustments: If your downspouts are too short or your drainage is clogged, it can cause pooling. A better fit will do wonders in controlling drainage.
- Landscaping Adjustments: If your yard is directing water towards your home’s edges, a landscaping specialist will soon be able to redirect the flow and prevent any pooling near your basement.
- Foundation Repair: If you have cracks or leaks in your foundation, you need to repair it immediately to prevent water seepage and foundational issues. Don’t let a large foundation crack go unnoticed.
- Sump Pump Installation: These pumps remove water from underneath your house and work continuously to maintain this function. By installing a new sump pump, you can reduce the impact on your basement significantly.
- Window or Window Well Repair: If your windows exhibit weak points, fixing it can offer an immediate solution to specific seepage issues.
Feel free to call one of our MT Drains & Plumbing professionals if you aren’t sure where to start with basement seepage issues.
The Benefits of Using a Professional Plumber
If there are other plumbing issues exposing your basement to damage, one of our licensed plumbers can quickly fix the issue. Don’t underestimate the power of using a professional for basement waterproofing and repair.
Pump sump installation, drainage redesign, plumbing repairs, and other waterproofing techniques should be carried out by someone with experience. It will provide you with added assurances that your home and basement are protected from unwanted seepage.
Contact Us Today to Protect or Repair Basement Seepage Issues
If you notice seepage water collecting your basement, seek immediate help from our licensed professionals. At MT Drains & Plumbing, we’re here to protect your home from water seepage and repair any plumbing-related issues that arise in your basement.
As a fully qualified plumbing team with many years of experience in the industry, we’re more than capable of working with basements of any size.
Don’t wait until it’s too late–contact MT Drains & Plumbing today to discuss basement seepage issues with our experts.
