Water In Basement: Dos And Don’ts

Wet basements are a nightmare for any homeowner. They can be difficult to deal with and, in many cases, compromise your health.

These two reasons are why it’s important to deal with wet basements immediately. The best way, however, remains to prevent it from happening in the first place and keep your basement dry. Otherwise, you’ll end up dealing with structural damage and mold growth through concrete walls.

One of the biggest determinants of whether or not your home is at risk of having a flooded basement is the area that you live in. The first step is always to check how at-risk you are.

That being said, all basements with concrete walls can flood. When water outside the concrete accumulates, it applies pressure to it, known as hydrostatic pressure. Eventually, as this pressure increases, the concrete cracks, causing water to rush into the basement and flood.

To avoid this, waterproofing and drainage are two things to keep in mind. There are many things to consider when investing in this. Thus, learning and remembering what to do and what not to do is important. 

Do Proper Research

There are three main ways to waterproof your basement. Those methods are interior waterproof sealants, exterior waterproofing, and drainage. Each has its use and should be applied in different situations.

It all depends on the home’s circumstances. This should always be carefully determined before settling on any one method.

Do Find The Leak

One of the first things to do when fixing a leaky basement is to cut off the source of the leak. Unless the leak is stopped, the basement will flood again at some point, which is why preventing it is so important.

Do Keep Drains/Gutters Clear

Keeping these clean should be a regular and scheduled activity. If the water were to build up and then dump into the foundation, that could cause serious structural damage. Always keep them clean of debris and check for clogs that need to be cleared immediately.

Don’t Rely On DIY Sealants

Sealants you buy from the store can be useful, but these should always be treated as temporary solutions. Whenever a problem arises, don’t always rely on temporary fixes. The first time that it floods take appropriate immediate measures, but always go for a long-term plan that protects the entire basement.

Don’t Ignore Leaks

Don’t ignore leaks, no matter how small, even if your finished basement hasn’t flooded yet. These leaks could be small signs of much bigger problems. Even if they aren’t, they can quickly grow to become one themselves.

Once you find a leak, deal with it immediately, and, as we previously stated, don’t settle for temporary solutions. Always fix things with the long-term in mind.

Don’t Let Water Be Directed To The Foundation

The downspouts, rain gutters, and anything else that’s supposed to direct water away from your foundation should never do so. Always throw these away so water doesn’t build up around your foundation. This is key to having proper drainage. 

Do Stay Informed

As with anything concerning safety, your best shot is to keep your head straight and remain informed. Stay up to date and informed on all things health and safety.

If you’d like more dos and don’ts just like this, read about general safety tips one should know in their home and even in their place of work at our blogs at Be-Safe.