Possible Causes of a Leaky Basement

Waterproofing a basements will prevent it from becoming damp, moldy or flooded. There are multiple reasons for a basement leak. A basement may leak because of a poorly built foundation, or because the house has settled. The house's settling may cause the floors of the home to crack. Another reason why a basement may leak is the build-up of water pressure just outside the walls of the foundation.

It takes a lot of time, cost and effort to remember problems like these. However, waterproofing the basement of your home will protect it from damage and mold that can cause illness. Basement waterproofing can also protect your wallet. After all, your home is an investment.

You can prevent basement leaks in the first place. Have heating systems and air conditioning systems regularly inspected. Replace the filters when necessary. Also, regular inspection of your sump pump will insure that it works properly. Insulating your pipes will keep the pipes from sweating, which could cause rot.

Basement leaks are easy to detect, since visible moisture will begin to seep into the areas where the floor and walls are cracking. Even if you don't see the water itself, you might see the mold and mildew that it causes. If you already have basement leaks, the problem can still be fixed.

If the location of the leak cannot be found, simply tape a piece of aluminum foil to the damp wall. Seal all four sides with tape. Leave it for a couple of days. If the inside of the foil is wet, then you have a seepage problem. If the outside is wet, you have a condensation problem.

Another possible issue would be shrubs, trees and other greenery close to the foundation of the home may prevent proper ventilation. Proper trimming can help.

If the basement walls and floors have cracks, you will have to patch them. A crack thicker than 1/8 inches should be cleaned out and patched with a special cement mix. Holes should be filled with mortar. If your basement does not have cracks, you can apply the waterproofing compound directly.

If your problem is water pressure build-up, the problem will be more difficult to solve.The installation of a temporary weep pipe for draining the water away will probably help. Then, the waterproofing mix is applied.

Waterproofing coating systems prevent water from moving into the basement under hydrostatic pressure. Homes can also be waterproofed from the outside.

SOURCES

http://www.wikihow.com/Waterproof-Your-Basement: How to Waterproof Your Basement

http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/basement.html: Waterproof Basement

http://www.doityourself.com/scat/waterproofing: Basement Waterproofing