Apart from facing faults in windows and doors, a wet basement is something that is always troublesome and annoying. Their nasty smell and unpleasant look can make the inhabitants want to leave the place as soon as possible. Wet basements are not only unappealing and uncomfortable to live in but are also responsible for bringing home’s value down. Moisture can ruin walls and floors while encouraging mold to cause damages on the roofing.
Here, the thing to remember is that not all wet basements need the same level of attention. Rather, some basements can restore their performance by simple repairs and maintenance. Homeowners just have to clear gutters and divert their water away from the foundation to get rid of moisture. On the other hand, if the problems are caused by other factors like seepage from underground, water flow towards the home or backed-up municipal storm drains, they need immediate attention and aggressive action. So, to treat a wet basement, here are some effective methods to get the job done successfully:
- Install Gutter Extensions
In order to throw water farther from the home, experts suggest to install metal or plastic gutter extensions. If downspouts are installed at 5 feet or less, then it’s better to increase the distance in-between. But, many people do not find this idea useful as it doesn’t yield long-term results and increases the chances of tripping or running over with a lawn mower.
It is, therefore, recommended to go for installing underground drain pipes as they are invisible and can move as much waste as needed away from the home. So, just hire a waterproofing contractor or a landscaper to dig a sloping trench and put a pipe to dispose-off water safely.
- Plug Gaps
When people get into a situation where water enters the basement through gaps or cracks on the plumbing pipes, there is no need to worry about as they can do one thing to get rid of this problem. Just plug the openings with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement for as low as $20.
When there are holes on the walls, giving access to water, it’s better to fill in the spaces between walls and floor to avoid groundwater seeping through them.
- Restore the Crown
If water still dribbles into the basement or foundation walls, after plugging obvious holes, then it’s sure that surface water doesn’t find an appropriate way to move away from the home. Ideally, the home must sit on the crown of soil at least six inches in all directions and let the soil settle around the foundation.
- Reshape the Landscape
Since siding slightly overlaps home’s foundation, working on the crown can bring soil, termites and rot close to siding. This is another concern that requires immediate response. Homeowners can create a mound of dirt (berm) or a shallow, wide ditch (swale) that improves the landscape and redirects water before it makes home’s foundation wet.
- Repair Footing Drains
If water is leaking into the basement from the bottom of the basement, it means there is hydrostatic pressure causing the water to move up from the ground. To begin with, check the footing drains and underground pipes installed at the time of construction. If the drains are clogged, open and clean the pipes with a garden hose to make the way clear for water to move freely.
- Install a Curtain Drain
In case a home doesn’t have working footing drains, installing a curtain drain can help to divert water from the home. A curtain drain, or French drain, is 1.5 feet across and 2 feet deep that is filled with perforated piping and gravel to intercept water uphill of the home.
- Pump the Water
If people are unable to take water out from subsurface, channeling it from inside turns out to be the only option available. In order to create an interior drain system, saw a channel around the floor, chip out the concrete and place perforated pipes in the hole. The pipes should drain to the collection tank at the lower spot of the basement so that there is enough space for water to travel away from the landscape.
By following these methods to treat a wet basement, people can easily restore its actual performance and end up having optimum comfort and convenience. Once they are done with working on the wet basement, people can also search for the best method for basement waterproofing Toronto to avoid such issues in the long run.
