8 Potential Causes of a Wet Basement

causes of water leaks in basement
June 8, 2021

Finding moisture in any area of the home is never something that a homeowner wants to find. Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. Fortunately, finding a ‘basement waterproofing company near me’ and calling in an expert will help you locate the cause of your wet basement and find a solution so you can keep the integrity of your home.

A wet basement can be caused by a few different factors, which can help determine the best solution for finally having a dry basement in your home. Here are 5 potential causes of a wet basement foundation in home.

Gutters & Downspouts

When it rains, it’s important that the directional infrastructure on your home is working properly. This means that your gutters may be jammed or broken, or your downspouts are missing, properly placed or lacking the proper extenders.

This may be the cause of your basement leak if you notice a wet basement when it rains heavily.

Grading of Your Home

The way that your home’s foundation was initially and how the home has settled over time can affect how dry your basement is in your home.

A commonly overlooked aspect of your home’s potential wet basement problem is the grading of your home. This means that ideally soil is pitched away from your house so that water drains toward your yard and not your foundation and basement, causing a leak.

Window Wells

While the wells around a basement window are typically made to direct rainwater away from the window, if there is a flaw in the window well installation or damage to the structure itself, it can have the reverse effect. The result? A basement leak leads to you looking for a basement waterproofer contractor.

Structural Cracks

This is not good news, but it’s a fact: a basement leak can be the result of structural cracks in the foundation of your home. This can be a result of basement or foundation settlement or simply external pressure. While this is a larger repair, there are ways to resolve the issue of your wet basement and finally have a waterproof foundation in your home.

Sump Pit or Drain Tile

A home’s sump pit collects runoff water that is fairly natural in a home and happens from time to time, but this drain can become clogged, broken, or damaged, leading to a basement leak. In such cases, a basement waterproofer contractor can repair or resolve aspects of your cause and get the sump pit working at full capacity once again.

Cracks in Your Foundation

One of the big and sometimes unexpected ways that water can seep into the home is through foundation cracks. Foundation cracks provide ample room for the water to come through and wreak havoc in your basement. We’ve got you covered whether it’s just a moisture problem that dominoes into mold issues or a full-blown flooded basement. Many people don’t know that when you have foundation issues, you may also have waterproofing issues.

This is why you should never repair a basement crack or apply a waterproofing solution without finding the source of the problem. Sealing a crack or adding encapsulation does nothing without finding out what’s causing the issue and resolving that as well.

Drainage and Grading Issues in Your Yard

Another big reason that you might see water in your basement could be due to drainage and grading issues in your yard. If the grade of your soil tilts towards your home, you are inviting water to seep down into your foundation. Similarly, when you constantly see big puddles in your yard that don’t go away for a day or two after rain, you have a drainage problem.

KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair can help with both of these issues and get your home back on track to being moisture-free. We provide interior and exterior drainage to make sure that you are protected and don’t end up with a flooded basement.

Soil Movement and Settlement

Foundation Settlement Issues caused by soil movement are another reason you may see water in your basement. When soil changes from dry to wet or wet to dry, there is shrinkage and expansion. If your foundation is not properly stabilized, this can affect it. The foundation or main floor walls could crack, the slab could crack, or any number of things could happen. This includes your home foundation failing due to soil movement and settlement.

Basement Waterproofing: What You Need to Know

Many homes have basements. Whether you use yours for storage of bulky items or extra living space, your basement is susceptible to a unique set of problems, particularly from water damage. Basement waterproofing is extremely important to the health of your home as even a small amount of water can, over time, lead to extensive foundation damage and the need for a serious repair.

Signs That You Need Basement Waterproofing

Take a look around your basement. If you notice any of the following, it’s best to get it taken care of as soon as possible.

  • Moisture or water on the floors
  • Any leaking pipes, no matter how small
  • A musty, wet odor
  • Mildew or moss growth
  • Cracks in the walls
  • Cracks in the basement floor
  • Water leaking into the basement through windows or doors

Basement Waterproofing Techniques

Some basement waterproofing is simple. You may just need to re-grade your yard to divert water away from basement windows or install new rain gutters that drain water away from the foundation. However, other basement waterproofing is more complicated, requiring the installation of pumps, lifting of sinking floors, or increasing ventilation. In any case, KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair is well equipped to diagnose and repair any existing basement problems.

KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair specialize in basement waterproofing. We’ll come and take a look at your basement, diagnose the problem, and make the needed repair. Sometimes we install sump pumps, which take water from beneath the slab and pump it somewhere that is unable to damage your home. Other times we use Grate Drain products to remove water and ensure a dry, healthy basement. And in any case, if there is existing damage, we can make the repairs.

If you’ve noticed any signs of foundation damage or have seen any of the above symptoms of the need to waterproof your basement, contact KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair. We’d love to provide you with a solution.

For more valuable articles like this one to keep your home dry, visit our Ultimate Guide to Waterproofing Your Kansas City Home.

Basement Waterproofing Near Me

Many homeowners have looked for the answer to this very question. We’re here to help! Keep your home dry, safe, and comfortable with the help of a basement waterproofing contractor. Take the first step to a dry basement by calling KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair at 816- 839- 6840 to schedule your free consultation.

(816) 505-9990
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Awesome work by KC Waterproofing! Highly recommend using this company for any foundation issues and beyond!
Office staff is wonderful and communicative. Project manager and staff did a wonderful job keeping our project tidy, secure and as clean as possible. I interviewed 5 different companies and these guys held up to my expectations. VERY knowledgeable company.
I had a great experience with KC Waterproofing, and they were able to help me when I was in a pinch and needed some minor foundation repair done very quickly. Don was very responsive and helpful during the inspection process and Mario was fantastic in answering my questions and getting the work done efficient during the crack injection process.
Mario came out to fix and adjust sump pupil pipes and did a fantastic job! On time, very thorough, explained what he did and was very friendly.
We were very pleased with KC Waterproofing. They arrived on time every day and cleaned up before leaving each night. The crew that worked on our foundation were polite, friendly, and knowledgeable. Overall, we are completely satisfied with the job that they did. We just had our first big rain after the repair and we didn’t have any leakage at all!
We had a very good experience with KC Waterproofing foundation repair on our house in south Kansas City in February and highly recommend you give them an opportunity to look at your foundation for an estimate and any work to be done.
Ryan and his crew did a great job. Got the job done quick and was very receptive of questions and concerns I had.
Used twice for different sets of work, wonderful each time. Fran on the advisement side, Don the owner, and both Julian and Jackson were great team leads. Clean, quick, and thorough.
We had an excellent experience with KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair. From the initial inspection with Fran to the final repairs. Their team was professional, knowledgeable and incredibly thorough. Crew was punctual, respectful of my property and reached out to me to inspect before the final repairs were completed. Highly recommend - if you're looking for a trustworthy and skilled foundation company!
They did amazing from start to finish. Very professional and courteous to my needs. Respected my house and cleaned up great afterwords. They are who I'll be calling again!
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