What Are the Causes of Leaky Basements With Heavy Rain?
Excessive moisture or standing water in the basement of your home after a heavy rain can result from damage in the foundation of your home or poor drainage. Some additional factors that can contribute to the buildup of water under your home include its location and the height of the water table on your property. Does this Spark an idea?
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Yard Drainage
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One of the major sources of excessive moisture under homes is poor exterior drainage. If your home is built on the side or bottom of a hill, runoff from heavy rains will pool against the side of your foundation. As the amount of water against the side of your foundation grows, the increasing water pressure can force water into your basement through cracks and joints in the wall or under the footer. If your basement suffers from these problems, you can install drainage lines along the length of the footer to direct water away from your home and apply a water sealer to your foundation walls.
Gutter Problems
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If your gutters are damaged or working improperly, they can contribute to your leaky basement. Gutters that are clogged or broken will pour water onto the ground beside your home during heavy rain storms. It is also important to ensure that the down spouts of your gutters have properly installed drainage lines to carry water away from your home. If your gutters are damaged or improperly drained, the water they drain from the roof may end up in your basement. If your home is located on or beside a hill, make sure that the gutters facing the hill have drainage lines long enough to divert the water downhill from your home.
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Foundation Damage
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During heavy rain storms, the amount of water in the ground increases. If the foundation walls of your basement have cracks or leaking joints, water will seep through them and into your basement. Damage to the floor of your basement can allow water to enter the basement from the water table.
Water Table
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The upper levels of the water stored in the ground is known as the water table. If the water table on your property is close to the floor of your basement, heavy rainfall will increase the height of the water table. If the floor is not watertight, the rising water in the ground will force its way upwards into your basement. If your property has a high water table, you can use underground drainage lines or a sump pump to divert water away from your basement. Installing a moisture barrier will also limit the amount of moisture coming into your basement through the floor.
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References
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