It seems like we have had rain or a threat of rain in the weather forecast everyday for the past 6 weeks. Some of this water may be making it into your basement. Here’s what you should do to lessen the chances of basement leaks…
With daily downpours occurring, how can you make sure all that rain water stays on the outside of your house where it belongs, and not in your basement?
Take a good look.
Now would be a great time to go outside and examine the exterior of your house, particularly your landscape. Your house should appear to be perched on a turtle’s back. This means all the landscaping up to the house should be just that; sloped up to the house.
If your house is sitting in a hole, you are a basement puddle waiting to happen.
While you are looking, make sure all your concrete – driveways, sidewalks, patios, and walkways slope either away from the house or into a drain. Nothing will cause a damp basement quicker than a concrete patio outside your basement door sloping toward the house.
If your patio is guilty of this there is no great way to fix it – you basically either tear it out and start over or install a drainage system. If your patio has sunk into this position you can have it 'floated' back into place fairly easily and inexpensively. Check out the foundation guys listed on this web-site...
This is also a good time to mention that the ‘It’s been that way for 3 years and hasn’t leaked yet’ defense is a poor defense. Water always finds a way, and that way always goes downhill. You do the math.
Also – check to make sure your gutters are clean and working properly. Clogged gutters lead to water spilling over the top and guess where that water ends up? You are correct if you said “Directly on the foundation of my house”.
While looking at the gutters, make sure the downspouts drain at least 10 feet from the foundation of your house. The ever popular 2 1/2’ splash guard may be stylish, but it allows water to drain too close to your house.
One last thing to check while you are outside is your French drain. Many houses have them and often you can find the end of that drain. Make sure it is free of debris.
Now look inside.
Take a good look at your basement walls (if you can). Mark any cracks and make sure they aren’t expanding. (Note – horizontal cracks in your foundation wall are a serious cause for alarm and should be dealt with immediately.)
Many smaller cracks can be repaired with hydraulic cement.
By keeping an eye on your house from the outside in, you may be able to head off serious water damage in the future.
Of course, if you already experience water leakage in the basement after a heavy rain, it may be time to call in a water-proofing expert. But by following the above tips, you can prolong the dry life of your basement!