Basement water problems are an indoor phenomenon. According to experts, however, over 95% of the time they are a result of outdoor issues. Once these problems become established, long-term consequences like structural damage and mold contamination are inevitable. Advance planning to prevent basement water problems in the first place is a more effective and efficient course of action than after-the-fact remedies. Here are some ways to plan not to have basement water problems in your home.
- Install gutters. Any home with a basement should have functional rain gutters, too. Without gutters, water pouring off the edges of the roof during heavy rain penetrates deeply into the ground below. As it saturates underground soil adjacent to the basement wall, water infiltrates into the basement through tiny cracks and crevices. Gutters catch roof runoff and divert it safely away from the house.
- Get proper grading. The conformation of the ground around the perimeter of the foundation should divert water away from the house. Proper grading prevents pooling during rain that soaks into the ground and eventually leaks into the basement.
- Have an exterior drain tile installed. Consisting of a perforated pipe installed underground in a bed of gravel that extends around the exterior of the basement wall, a drain tile collects ground water from the soil and conveys it away from the house to prevent over-saturation. This keeps the zone adjacent to the basement drier to prevent leakage into the house.
- Relieve hydrostatic pressure with a sump pump. If you live in a locale with a naturally high water table, rising ground water may exert pressure on the underside of the foundation and permeate into your basement. A sump pump relieves the pressure by collecting ground water in a basin excavated in the basement floor, then automatically pumping it outdoors to a discharge point, usually in the backyard.
If basement water problems are a concern, contact the professionals at Rytech, Inc. to learn more about effective plans to prevent water damage.
