What Causes a Leaky Basement?

Don’t Let a Leaky Basement Bring You Down

A home’s basement is one of the most likely places to find unwanted damp conditions. The basement is also often filled with treasures, from old college textbooks and family photos, to revered vintage clothing and collectibles. Your family may have placed an old ping-pong or pool table down there, along with a used sofa and a few rarely used chairs. The room may be filled with memories of time spent hanging out. Or maybe it is just a place to do laundry and store cleaning supplies.

Whatever purpose your basement may serve, it is still special in its own way, even if it’s not the most polished area of the home. It is an area to protect and preserve. Inevitably though, basements will flood, leak, and damage these precious items. How can you ensure that your basement is filled with nothing but warmth and security?

First, discover what the problem is. Then, find ways to fix it. Read on to learn what we have outlined in our leaky basement causes and solutions.

What Causes a Leaky Basement?

Of course, many things can cause a leaky basement. We have outlined some possible reasons your basement may be accumulating moisture below, but do not stop your research here. Specific aspects of your home create unique circumstances, so be sure to figure out what exactly is the problem with your basement before proceeding to find a solution.

1. Clay Bowl Effect
   Your home’s foundation has soil around it that absorbs water. This water builds up against the foundation, and eventually may find itself inside your home, moving through cracks in the building.
2. Clogged Drainpipe
   Additionally, drainpipes may build up with particles or heavy, murky water. This stops the flow of water and causes it to bleed into the home.
3. Wall and Floor Leaks
   Walls and floors naturally incur cracks that lead to water leaks. These leaks can be small and unnoticeable, or they can be bigger and more problematic. Stonewalls, clay tile walls, as well as poured concrete and concrete block walls are all formed in different ways. These various styles lead to different issues and can lead to leakage in your basement.

How Can the Problem of a Leaky Basement Be Fixed?

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to fix the problem of a leaky basement. Popular solutions include, but are not limited to:

When all else fails, call a company like Vital Restoration, which specializes in water damage cleanup. Why wait? They are true professionals who can efficiently solve your dilemma today. Vital Restoration can diagnose and fix your problems, and help you find solutions for preventing future leaky basement issues.