Many problems can arise from water leaking into a basement. More than other areas of the house, basements are likely to be damp. This is due to the fact that they are generally below grade and surrounded by soil. Anything from mold spores and poor air quality to rotting of the foundations can occur from this. So, it’s good to think about ways to prevent water from entering a basement.
There are varied reasons for making a basement damp, but one reason is water pooling around the foundation. Leaky gutters and downspouts could be a cause of this. In this case, its important to divert water away from the house. Check that gutters and downspouts are correctly installed and that there are no blockages. Downspouts need to be positioned so that they drain away from the house, and that they are far enough so that the water doesn’t start to pool around the foundation, ideally 10 feet away.
Another reason for water pooling around the foundation is inadequate or uneven slope (or grade). If this is a problem for you, then you may need to even out certain areas.
Small ditches known as swales can be used to divert water away from your homes foundation. This is used if you live at the base of a hill or if there is some kind of incline. Ideally swales should be 10 to 15 feet away from the home to prevent water run off reaching the foundation.
Although there are ways of treating damage caused by a damp or flooded basement, we can see why taking whatever steps we can to prevent it from happening is the best cause of action. If you have further questions on this matter or have any home inspection queries, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to help.
There are varied reasons for making a basement damp, but one reason is water pooling around the foundation. Leaky gutters and downspouts could be a cause of this. In this case, its important to divert water away from the house. Check that gutters and downspouts are correctly installed and that there are no blockages. Downspouts need to be positioned so that they drain away from the house, and that they are far enough so that the water doesn’t start to pool around the foundation, ideally 10 feet away.
Another reason for water pooling around the foundation is inadequate or uneven slope (or grade). If this is a problem for you, then you may need to even out certain areas.
Small ditches known as swales can be used to divert water away from your homes foundation. This is used if you live at the base of a hill or if there is some kind of incline. Ideally swales should be 10 to 15 feet away from the home to prevent water run off reaching the foundation.
Although there are ways of treating damage caused by a damp or flooded basement, we can see why taking whatever steps we can to prevent it from happening is the best cause of action. If you have further questions on this matter or have any home inspection queries, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to help.
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