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.

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Great service, everyone is friendly and courteous. They do whatever they can to help you. Great company I would recommend to anyone.
Great team, worked very hard and stayed after hours to install a basement window as they knew a huge storm was on the way. Our basement was super dry following a lot of rain after install/fixing of foundation proving the job was done well! I recommend this company for foundation repair and water proofing to cinder block foundation in old home.
Mario came out to seal a crack on my stairs and fill a settlement crack in the basement. He was very professional and friendly. He did an amazing job and I was very impressed.
Didn't waste any time. I have a big problem and he told me from the beginning that they couldn't handle it. He helped give me some advice and direction... and did not try to sell me on something he knew they couldn't deliver. I appreciated his upfront honesty and advice.
They are a fantastic company and really went above and beyond to make sure we got the information we needed.
Mario was great! He very informative and helpful! I would highly recommend him!
Mario came out to check the sump pump. After cleaning the pit out and checking both the main and backup pump he wiped everything done and left the area cleaner than when he got there. Very friendly and knowledgeable guy!
Don Derry with KC Waterproofing has been our "go-to" foundation repair specialist since 2005! We have had him to our homes multiple times. The project always wraps up with us having peace of mind. This past time with 14 piers installed, was no exception. His crew was polite and respectful. They cleaned up our property perfectly at the conclusion of the project. I highly recommend this foundation repair company.
Tech was on time completed the repair as necessary, and the experience was great.
We recently had KC Waterproofing out at our home in North Kansas City, and I cannot say enough great things about Ryan Marshall and his team (Austin & Jacob). They worked at our property over the week of July 17/2025 - and absolutely blew us away with their professionalism, work ethic, and transparency.

Ryan took the time to thoroughly explain the problems we were facing, what caused them, and exactly how they were going to fix them. His honesty and willingness to go the extra mile truly set him apart.

Ryan and his assistant worked hard, were respectful of our home, and made sure everything was done right the first time. It's rare these days to find that level of care and craftsmanship. Because of professionals like Ryan, we’ll continue to turn to KC Waterproofing for future needs.

Highly recommend this company—especially if you get the chance to work with Ryan and his crew! When it comes to foundation issues we will always recommend KC Waterproofing. They have been in the business, are trusted, and will do the job correctly.