Common Causes of a Leaking Basement

One thing no homeowner wants to have to deal with is a wet basement. Unfortunately, sometimes a basement leak is inevitable. What causes water in basement or crawl space areas? We’ll look at some common causes, as well as tips for basement repair.

• A leak in the plumbing is a relatively easy fix. When your basement is leaking, repairs can range from simple to cost prohibitive. On the simpler end of things is leaky plumbing. Check for water on the ceiling or walls under your bathroom or kitchen because that’s a common sign of a leak. Maybe you have a cracked pipe, or maybe a leaking shower, toilet, water heater, or washing machine. Whatever the cause, repairing your plumbing leak may fix your basement water problem.
• The problem inside your basement could be fixed with some outside adjustments. Are your gutters clogged or leaking? Do your downspouts carry water far enough away from your house? Is the grade around your foundation sloped correctly? Any of these problems can direct water toward your foundation, where it can make its way into your basement. Keep water away from your foundation and you may be able to avoid a costly basement leak repair.
• Your window wells could be letting in water. Properly installed and maintained, window wells are a boon. In fact, they can even be instrumental in diverting rainwater away from your foundation. If a window well doesn’t have a drain, though, or becomes clogged with leaves and debris, it could end up causing your basement to leak. Make sure your window wells have drains that are working correctly, clean out any debris, and consider installing window well covers to keep leaves, lawn clippings, and other materials from clogging them.
• Something may be cracked. Concrete floors often crack, letting water seep into the basement. Even a hairline crack in the foundation can let in moisture. And if you’ve got poured concrete walls, they can crack too. Repair any cracks immediately, sealing the surface to prevent seepage. Be careful to ascertain the cause of the cracks and address it, or you risk it happening again.
• The pressure may be too much for your basement to handle. Your basement is under different types of pressure. There’s hydrostatic pressure, from the water found underground, and then there’s lateral pressure from the dirt all around your foundation. Either of these types of pressure can exert undue force on the foundation, causing it to develop cracks. If this is happening to your house, it may be time to call in someone with plenty of experience to waterproof your basement.

At Storm Waterproofing, we’ve been solving and preventing basement problems for over 20 years. A family owned and operated waterproofing company founded by a third generation basement waterproofing expert, we provide exceptional basement waterproofing services in the Baltimore, MD area. If you’re looking for a company that will keep your home dry, healthy, and safe, using state-of-the-art waterproofing techniques, call or contact us today.

Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation

If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you may not think too much about your crawlspace. You should, though, because what’s in your crawlspace can impact the air quality throughout your home. In fact, according to the EPA, 60 percent of the air on your first floor has already traveled through the crawl space, picking up microbes and particulates along the way. Ready to learn more about crawl space encapsulation? Read on to understand why it’s a good idea.

First, let’s define crawl space encapsulation. Encapsulation involves sealing off and insulating the crawl space, in order to protect it from water vapor, pests, and inclement weather. This is done by adding a heavy-duty polyethylene barrier to your crawl space, similar to the lining of a swimming pool. Once the barrier is in place, the space is sealed, and a dehumidifier can be used to regulate the moisture level in the crawl space. The crawl space is not the only underground area that could benefit from this process. If you live in an old home or are planning to finish your basement, encapsulation of that area is a smart move. Today, though, let’s just consider the crawl space.

• Encapsulation improves your home’s air quality. It keeps mold, mildew, and bacteria from seeping into your home from the crawl space, keeping the air your family breathes clean and safe. Encapsulating your crawl space also gives you better control over your home’s humidity levels and reduces musty odors.
• A clean, dry crawl space doesn’t support mold growth. Reducing moisture makes an area less hospitable to mold. What’s more, because the crawl space is encapsulated in non-organic material, there’s no place for mold to gain a foothold.
• Encapsulating the crawl space discourages pests. Insects and rodents prefer damp spaces and find getting around the barrier nearly impossible. In fact, there are even pest-specific barriers available.
• If you want to store things in your crawl space, encapsulation is a must. Once encapsulated, your crawl space will be a safe, clean, dry environment where you can safely keep your belongings without worrying that they’ll be damaged.
• When you encapsulate your crawl space, you save money on energy costs. You could see a decrease in your energy bills of up to 15 percent per year once you seal the crawl space!
• Encapsulation protects your home’s structural integrity. As long as your crawl space is exposed to moisture, your house is exposed not only to destructive pests, but also to decay and rot. Encapsulating the space affords your home’s frame and foundation some important protection.

At Storm Waterproofing, we know how to solve and prevent crawlspace and basement problems. A family owned and operated waterproofing company founded by a third generation basement waterproofing expert, we’ve been providing exceptional basement waterproofing services for over 20 years. If you’re looking for a company that will keep your Baltimore, MD area home dry, healthy, and safe, using state-of-the-art waterproofing techniques, call or contact us today.