Basement
Wet Basement: Find the Source First
A wet basement is a symptom, and the same puddle can have very different causes. Before paying for any system, find out which kind of water you have. Some of it you can work out yourself.
Call (423) 555-0114Your call goes to an independent local waterproofing company.
Four places the water can come from
Rain running toward the house
It shows up during or right after a storm, usually on one side. Outside you will find a gutter that overflows, a downspout that stops at the wall, or soil and paving that tilt toward the house. This is the least costly source to fix and the one most often missed.
Water in the ground
It shows up a day or more after long rain and can last for days. It enters low, where the wall meets the floor or up through floor cracks, often on more than one wall. No amount of gutter work stops it, because the ground itself is full.
Humid air
It shows up in warm months whatever the rain is doing. Walls and cold water pipes feel wet, cardboard boxes go limp, and there is no clear point of entry. This is condensation. A drain system does nothing for it. Drier air does.
Plumbing
It shows up without any connection to the weather. Check the water heater, the washing machine hoses, the drain lines overhead and the main shut-off. If the water meter moves while every tap is closed, a supply pipe is leaking, and that is a job for a plumber.
Three checks you can do yourself
Keep a rain log
For a few weeks, note when it rained and when the water appeared. Hours later suggests surface water. Days later suggests ground water. No link at all suggests air or pipes.
Walk round in a storm
With a raincoat on, watch where the roof water goes. Follow each downspout to its end and look for ponding against the wall.
Tape plastic to the wall
Seal a square of clear plastic to a damp patch on all four sides. After two days, droplets on the room side mean humid air. Dampness behind it means water coming through.
What each source leads to
- SourceRain at the surface
- Usual fixGutters, downspout extensions and grading
- SourceWater in the ground
- Usual fixInside drain and sump pump, or an outside membrane and drain
- SourceOne crack or opening
- Usual fixLeak repair
- SourceHumid air
- Usual fixA dehumidifier, sealed windows, and nothing damp stored against the walls
- SourcePlumbing
- Usual fixA plumber
Standing water today
If the floor is under water now, the first call is to a water damage company to pump out and dry the room. Keep out of the water if it is anywhere near outlets or the electrical panel. Waterproofing comes after.
When to call
Once you have a rough idea of the source, or once you have tried and cannot tell, call (423) 555-0114. Share your rain log and your pencil marks with the company that comes out. A good inspection will test your guess, not just accept it.