It’s too much hassle to deal with water in the basement. You get down there to drain the water, then get yourself drenched and end up smelling like an old sock without even knowing what is happening most of the time. You’re also exposing yourself to dangers such as electrocution or injuries caused by slipping. Not only that, the damage caused by the water can lead to the destruction of the stuff as well as the walls and flooring in your basement. And to put the icing on the cake, you’ll end up with a moldy room with a strong musty smell. It is therefore a must to solve the problem to its root and stop water from getting inside in the first place, but before that, you must first know the different ways how water can get into your basement.

Through the basement floor

One of the most common passages where water comes through in the basement is on the basement floor itself. It can also emerge from that part where the floor and the walls meet and if either of this is the case, it is very likely that your basement is located near a subsurface groundwater source.

When it rains hard enough that it saturates and raises the groundwater to a sufficient level, hydrostatic pressure happens, which pushes the water against the foundations of your basement floor, forcing it to come out through the tiny cracks and opening in the concrete flooring. Not only will this cause water to enter your basement, it will also widen those cracks and openings, causing further damage and water inflow the next time it happens.

Another problem that might cause the flooding of your basement floor is the overflowing of your municipal sewer. When it rains too hard, municipal sewers can get overwhelmed which can lead the excess water to flow towards your basement.

Through the exterior foundation

If you notice that only the exterior foundation in your basement is getting wet or getting stained with water, then it is most likely only water from the surface which was not drained properly. In that regard, you should find the source around the house which might cause the leakage that leads water to your basement.

You can check your basement windows or window wells for any clogging whatsoever. Common culprits are mostly leaves and other kinds of debris that arrives and accumulate in your window well, which will cause it to get clogged up during heavy rains. If this is the case, the water will leak through the gaps and cracks around your old basement windows.

You should also check your gutters if they’re overflowing as it can lead the water into your basement and might even erode the soil causing the foundation to crack.

Another thing to take note of is your downspout. Make sure that it extends at least 10 feet away from your house to ensure that the water is far away from the foundations of your basement.

Lastly, check your roofs for any signs of leakage and promptly deal with it as it can cause the water to run down through the basement ceiling and walls which could lead to long term damage to it.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other cities in New Jersey, such as Verona, Elmwood Park and Montclair.