There are many reasons to get your wet basement repaired, including structural damage and softening of drywall. It would help to consider the impact water damage can have on your belongings. Some of these damages are irreversible.
In addition to the structural damage, water can damage items inside the room, including furniture and art. If you don’t address the problem quickly, your belongings can be damaged. Before discarding them, consider hiring a professional to assess the damage and fix the problem. Know the wet basement repair cost before deciding on the fixes!
Water intrusion
Among the many problems in a wet basement is structural damage. Although it may be frustrating to deal with, a wet basement is unpleasant and can also be costly.
You should check the soil around your foundation. If it slopes away from the foundation wall, you may be experiencing a wet basement. To fix this problem, use clean fill dirt around the foundation of your house to correct the slope. The soil around a foundation wall should be sloped away from the house by six inches or more. Grading can be more gradual after that. If the soil is not adequately graded, you can use stone or topsoil to fill the areas.
Damp concrete walls
There are many causes for wet basements. A shower that doesn’t have a fan, a firewood-stored basement, and an unvented dryer can cause your basement to be moist and damp. Your basement walls contact more excellent soil, and warm, humid air can condense on cool surfaces like concrete. This can lead to wet concrete walls and floors susceptible to mold growth.
Another cause of wet basements is an inadequately sealed building. Although the concrete walls were not cracked, they were weakened by the increased humidity. The moisture in the air can cause mold and other problems and may even spread to other parts of your home. Your wallpaper will also peel, and your house will be uncomfortable. The walls will bow and crumble as dampness seeps in. They could degrade further, ultimately undermining the structural integrity of your home.
Mold and mildew growth
Prevent mold growth and reduce the chances of the formation of mildew and mold in your basement. Wet basements are the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. These damp basements typically lack adequate ventilation and are often dark and moist. If you notice a musty odor in your home, the problem may be rooted in the moisture level in your basement. To combat the problem, homeowners should address some common risk factors for mold growth.
Storm sewer backup
You should keep in mind several things when repairing a wet basement. One of the most common causes of a flooded basement is sewer backup. The sewage system collects stormwater and pushes it back through your home sewer laterals. The problem arises when too much stormwater backs up into your home, creating excessive pressure in the pipes. In severe cases, this pressure can cause the heaving of your basement floor. It would be best if you never attempted to repair a flooded basement on your own, as this can lead to significant water damage.
A plugged sewer service line is another common cause of a sewer backup. Depending on the cause, this problem can happen due to many factors, including vandalism or even a plugged service line. A few large objects dropping into a maintenance hole can cause a sewer backup.
Resealing windows
The first step in resealing the windows in your wet basement is to remove old caulk from the window frames. Apply the caulk liberally, forming a U-shaped indentation. Wipe off excess caulk with a damp cloth. While caulk doesn’t stop leaks permanently, it can prevent water damage by preventing the windows from rotting.
Besides, the sealant applied to the window frames can lose its durability over time. Luckily, resealing windows in a wet basement isn’t as complicated as you think. Although the process can be time-consuming, it pays off in the long run. Consequently, if you haven’t done this in a while, you can avoid excavation work and risk further damage to your foundation.
Interior floor drain system
A floor drain is an essential part of a waterproofing system. While the sump pumps water into a holding tank, other systems use gravity to move the water out of a wet basement. Interior floor drains are designed to be low-profile, so they don’t disturb the floor. It would be best if you chose a floor drain with a slope that matches the pitch of the drainpipe.
Final Take
An interior floor drain system is a great way to prevent a wet basement from accumulating too much water. These systems are installed next to the concrete floor. Square drain tile works well with a vapor barrier wall covering, so moisture vapor can be directed to the drain tile. Once installed, the square drain tile draws the water under the concrete floor to a sump pump.
