4 Ways to Keep Spring Rains Out of Your Basement
Mar 08, 2019
Water in your basement is never a good thing. We see it all the time and we have ways to make your basement waterproof. However, there are some problems that can be fixed simply by paying attention and making small, inexpensive changes. The main area to look at with a critical eye is the area around your foundation. That’s where most water in the basement trouble begins. Not paying attention to the dirt around your foundation can cause foundation cracks that require more expensive repairs.
Water Causes Most Foundation Cracks
Foundation cracks can be caused by many things – but almost always, they are due to water interacting with the soil around the foundation. Heavy rains can cause the soil to swell. Fill dirt can settle. Droughts can cause the soil supporting the foundation to pull away. Controlling where the water goes can make a big difference in protecting your foundation walls and keeping your basement dry.
4 Fixes to Stop Basement Leaks
- Increase the Slope of the Ground. Make sure water can get away from your foundation by paying attention to the slope. After a heavy rain, take a short walk around your home. Look for standing water. Standing water means you have low spots. If these low spots are near your foundation, the water will sit there much longer giving it ample opportunity to leak into your basement. The main thing you need to do is make sure the ground around your house slopes away from your foundation. Fill any low spots with dirt. Either bring in more dirt or remove dirt to create a slope. Ideally, firmly tamped dirt should have a gentle but noticeable slope away from the house for at least 2 or 3 feet. Simply keeping water out by making it easier for it to go somewhere else will make a huge difference and isn’t a costly home improvement to do.
- Extend Downspouts. Check your downspouts. Downspouts direct a lot of water and you want to make sure they are directing it away from your home. Your roof is a natural water collector and when you consider that all that surface water is running into your gutters and then out your downspouts, you can appreciate the sheer volume of water we’re talking about. Simply buying and connecting downspout extensions will direct all that water further away from your foundation. The cost and hassle are minuscule compared to the cost of foundation repairs.
- Epoxy Crack Sealing. Sometimes it’s too late and the damage has been done. If you see cracks in your foundation walls, call a professional. We can perform crack sealing as a temporary fix. We seal the cracks from inside your basement with an injection of epoxy. The epoxy forms a waterproof barrier. This barrier will keep the water out until the foundation shifts again. Crack sealing is the fastest and least expensive way to stop a basement leak, but it is only a quick fix. The real problem will need to be addressed. Crack sealing may only last several months, so you must keep a close eye on the crack to detect any new leaks.
- Waterproof Barriers for a Permanent Solution. The best solution is for your foundation to have consistent moisture all the way around your home. We can install a waterproofing barrier and then replace the soil around your foundation with a new footing drain and gravel. We leave enough soil on top for grass or landscaping plants to grow so your foundation looks normal. The two big advantages to building a waterproof barrier are that because the gravel drains quickly, it doesn’t allow water to build up around the foundation. Also, the gravel is stable, unlike soil which expands and contracts with the level of moisture it receives. Gravel won’t put pressure on the wall and keeps the foundation from shifting and causing cracks. Gravel will also keep the moisture level consistent throughout the weather cycles.
Free Basement Waterproofing Consultation
If you see any cracks in your basement walls or notice water anywhere, don’t hesitate to call. PierMagic® offers free foundation repair inspections, so call us right away. Our PierMagic® basement waterproofing experts know exactly what to look for. We take the time to figure out what is causing the leak to be able to recommend the best solution. We will leave you with a free estimate and our best advice.
THE LONGER YOU WAIT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, THE MORE DAMAGE YOU WILL HAVE AND THE MORE MONEY IT WILL COST TO FIX IT, SO CALL US TODAY AT 816-765-4800.
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