Having moisture in your basement can be a nightmare for almost every homeowner. Once it happens, it can be challenging to keep the area dry going forward, but if you know how it is happening and why then it will be easier to prevent large amounts of damage. It will also be easier to fix any issues you have to keep the moisture permanently out of your basement.
What causes a wet basement?
There are a couple of factors that can cause a wet basement. The first would be condensation, which is what happens when warm air hits the cool foundation walls or the uninsulated cold water pipes. Condensation is also commonly called sweating because it looks like the walls are sweating.
Condensation will cause moisture to build up in your basement, which can lead to mold forming.
The second factor in causing a wet basement is runoff water. Runoff water happens when there is extra water from storms or when the snow melts, and it isn’t correctly routed away from your home, and the excess water backs up with nowhere to go. Usually, there will also be small leaks or cracks in the foundation to allow the water in, and this happens from damage to the foundation over time. Basements often don’t have the same ventilation as the rest of your home, so if there is moisture in the area, it can be a little difficult to dry it out, so there isn’t permanent damage done.
To repair cracks in your foundation, you will need to contact a foundation repair specialist.
Another cause of a wet basement could be caused from a leaking water pipe or a sewer backup. The leaking water pipe could be in your basement from a variety of sources such as your washing machine, water heater, or pipes hidden in the ceiling or walls. Forgetting to turn off your water tap leading to your hose outside when temperatures go below freezing are another common source of wet basement in the spring and fall.
How can I fix a wet basement?
If you notice that there’s a lot of condensation in your basement, you can help the area by purchasing a dehumidifier – or two, depending on the size of the area affected. This will help to take moisture out of the air and keep it dry so that mold doesn’t form and so the foundation isn’t compromised.
If the issue is that water isn’t draining away from your home, then the work might be a little more complicated. You can do simple fixes like making sure your gutters and eaves troughs are always cleared of leaves and debris that might build up over time, as this will help with draining the excess water.
Depending on the severity of the problems in your basement you might want to reach out to a professional plumber and have a sump pump installed. There might be more significant issues with your foundation, and a professional might be able to seal the cracks or waterproof the area, so you don’t have to deal with moisture in your basement, or even worse repair damage caused by water.
No matter how moisture gets into your basement, it is vital to take care of it as soon as you possibly can. Whether it’s getting a dehumidifier or completely waterproofing the area, taking action at the first sign of an issue will prevent more significant issues from happening. Water damage can lead to major renovations, and if that happens, you don’t want to be renovating and repairing each year when more water gets in. Investigate and determine the cause and fix to ensure no further damage will be done.
If you have a wet basement due to the plumbing and drainage systems in your home, contact Wentworth Plumbing today. We are trained and experienced to properly assess your situation and determine the best solution for you and your family.
We service Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Ancaster, Stoney Creek and more.