Moisture
is the most common problem in basements – either
entering from outside sources or being produced inside
by the occupant’s activities.
The soil around
the walls can contain a large amount of moisture from
surface water that is seeping down
or from a high water table. Water can find its way
inside by gravity or through a crack or flaw in the
water protection layer of the foundation.
Water can
also be pulled up by a “wicking action” or
pushed up” by hydrostatic pressure from the
soil under the walls or floor. In the summer, warm
moist air from outside can enter the house and lead
to condensation on the cool basement walls or floors.
Daily activities also produce moisture that can be
trapped inside the home.
Basement moisture problems
often include:
foundation
cracks that leak standing
water efflorescence
(white, chalky stains) wet
decaying wood in contact with concrete damp
or moldy walls or floor condensation
on windows, pipes & other fixtures wet
insulation moisture
damaged finishes musty
or damp carpets high
humidity stuffy,
damp smells
Possible Causes of a Wet Basement
a
leak in your home’s foundation,
basement
walls, window or door poor
lot drainage failure
of the weeping tile system
(foundation drains) overflowing
eaves troughs leaking/plugged
downspouts a
blocked connection between your home
and the main
sewer in the street a
back-up of wastewater in the sewer system
(or a combination
of wastewater and rainwater from the sanitary or
combined
sewer system) failure of a sump pump
(in some areas) used
foundation
cracks that leak
