Kent Foundation Repair News

What Causes A Wet Basement

The definition of “wet” may vary from one homeowner to another. For the purpose of this article “wet” shall be defined as visible water collecting on the floor. A wet basement, by this definition, would have 1/4″ or more of standing water on the floor. It is important to differentiate between a wet and damp basement. Dampness can mean that you have a humidity problem. Wetness means that you have a water problem.

Understanding Basement Construction

Construction is the key factor in why the basement gets wet. When building a St. Louis home, the contractor digs down approximately 8-10 feet, which creates a bowl-like formation in the ground. Concrete footings are installed, which will bear the weight of the structure. After the footings are placed, the contractor will either pour a concrete wall or install block to grade. The contractor will then pour a 3″-4″ floor for the basement.

On the exterior the contractor will “damp proof” (not waterproof) the wall and a 4″ perforated drainpipe will be installed around the perimeter of the basement to help prevent water intrusion. Unfortunately, these preventative measures usually prove to be minimally effective.

Water can get into your basement. Take steps to prevent it from happening.

After all of this, the exterior area around the basement is then backfilled. The soil that has been backfilled creates optimal conditions for basements to leak. The soil that is used in backfilling the basement is much looser and more aerated than the compact virgin soil that surrounded the building. This is due to the fact that soil was dug up and then replaced. Although it can be mechanically compacted, it will never be as dense as the virgin soil 5′ to 10′ out from the foundation wall.

How Water Gets Into Your Basement

Now that you understand the way a basement is built, it will help in understanding how the water gets into your basement. Here’s what happens when it rains:

  1. When it rains, water sinks into this backfill area and saturates it. The water will saturate the backfill area between the virgin clay soil “clay bowl” and the foundation. This shape in the soil will naturally direct the water toward the footing/wall intersection at the base of the foundation, exerting pressure on the foundation.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, water cannot pass through concrete unless there is a visible joint or crack. Therefore, the rainwater that has saturated the soil and is exerting a pressure on the outside foundation wall will find the path of least resistance. That path is usually a crack, joint, or the floor/wall seam at the base of the foundation wall.

Understanding Water Tables

The common belief is that water rises through a water table. Although the water table underneath the home does have the ability to rise, the reality is that the mechanics described above are the reason why basements typically get wet. Very rarely will the water table rise to the point of flooding a basement.

Solutions for Water Leaking Into Your Basement

Water seeping into your basement can wreak havoc on your home and could potentially become hazardous to your family’s health. Knowing what systems work and which ones do not will save you time, money, and your basement.

As long as there have been water and basements, there have been systems to keep the two apart. To this day, ineffective and outdated waterproofing methods are often still used with the same poor results. Let’s examine the two main options found in our industry: outside and inside systems.

Outside Systems

Exterior Trench Drains

When a home is first constructed, builders often install exterior drains. With this system, a perforated drain tile is installed around the perimeter at the footing level to capture ground water, diverting it downhill away from the foundation or into a sump pump. This system, although common for newly constructed homes, is not practical or effective for an existing home with a leaky basement.

Some of the problems with exterior drains are:

  1. Drains become clogged, blocked, or crushed.
  2. Drains don’t have enough stone around them to help water flow.
  3. Installing exterior drain tile near the footing from the outside requires excavation around the perimeter, which can be intrusive to decks, plants, patios, and lawns.

Waterproof Coatings

Wall coatings are sprayed on to the foundation walls of a newly built home to prevent moisture from passing through the walls into the interior spaces. These coatings do not effectively keep water out of your basement.

Some of the problems associated with spray waterproofing:

  1. Coatings do not seal or bridge wall cracks.
  2. Coatings may keep moisture away from walls, but do not stop water completely.
  3. Coatings typically last approximately 10 to 15 years.

An example of a damp basement floor as a result of leaking water.

Inside Systems

Waterproofing professionals agree that the best post-construction method to take care of a leaky basement is through the inside. By installing a water trek through the inside of the basement perimeter, you can capture the water at the most common point of water entry: the floor/wall joint.

Here are some of the advantages of an interior drainage system:

  1. System installs in a day or two.
  2. No digging is required around the house destroying existing shrubs, decks, or lawns.
  3. Interior drainage systems offer accessibility to the problem area as well as serviceability year round.

*Kent Foundation Repair only offers Basement Waterproofing at our St. Louis service area.

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