A leaky basement is an extremely common problem in many Iowa homes. No matter the type of basement or the quality of your home’s construction, natural circumstances can make any basement susceptible to water leaks over time. This also applies to crawl spaces, which are equally prone to leaking since they are essentially a shorter version of a basement.
If your crawl space is wet or you are experiencing a basement water leak, it is important to know the main source of the water leak and what is causing water to seep through.
Hydraulic Pressure – The most common cause of basement leaks is pressure created by water in the soil surrounding your foundation. This can be caused by high water tables or excess moisture from heavy rains, drainage leaks, or melted snow. When the water table rises underneath your foundation, it creates hydro-static pressure against your foundation and will force water through your basement floor. Lateral pressure can also occur if the soil surrounding your home expands and creates pressure against your foundation walls. This pressure can create foundation cracks that allow water to seep through.
Window Well Leaks – Another common cause of basement water leaks is overflowing window wells. Window wells can accumulate water after a heavy rain if your exterior drainage isn’t properly working. Poorly installed window wells may allow water to pass through. Sometimes, the water pressure can be strong enough to push the window in.
Concrete Walls and Floors – If you have a poured concrete foundation, your basement might be traced with porous spots that can allow water seepage to pass through over time. Certain masonry that is porous by nature such as concrete bricks or blocks will allow water leaks as well as standing water in large cavities.
Mortar Joints – Since water always finds the path of least resistance, weaker points in your foundation wall such as mortar joints and cove joints can easily crack and create a passage way for water to come through.
Basement Floor Cracks – Cracks can form in your basement floor due to hydro-static pressure pushing upward on your basement floor when the water table rises.
Top of Foundation Wall – Many homes have landscaping or decks and patios that sloped toward the foundation. This allows rainwater to run toward the house, entering through the gap between the foundation top and sill plate.
If you want to repair seepage and cracks in your floor, you’ll need to relieve hydro-static pressure. You can do this by redirecting the groundwater toward another path. To do this, you’ll need to install an interior drainage system, which is a drain pipe installed beneath the slab around the perimeter of the footing. This drain pipe removes rising ground water and sends it to the sump pit, which then pumps the water out of your home by the sump pump drain. This system is popular among homeowners in the Midwest because it requires minimal disruption and is very low maintenance.
Exterior drainage systems redirect water away from your home before it even reaches the foundation. Paired with proper gutters and downspouts, the exterior waterproofing system efficiently keeps surface water from seeping into your basement. Exterior waterproofing Exterior waterproofing can’t stop underground water, so an interior drainage system is essential.
Category: Basement Waterproofing