Basement moisture is dangerous, in that it forms mold and mildew, as well as degrades the durability of your foundation. Eradication of this moisture is vital, and in order to successful remove it, you must find the causes of it. Much of your basement leakage could be due to inadequate grading. Inadequate grading refers to the scenario where the ground near the foundation of a structure slopes toward it. This leads to the collection of moisture in the basement, as it isn’t redirected to another location. This problem can be solved by increasing the slope away from the foundation of the building, as well as getting rid of any level places in the soil. This can be done by placing soil around the structure. Another common source of basement moisture is defective gutters or downspouts. The absence of gutters during the rainy season is one of the most common causes of basement moisture. The reason for this is because rainwater hits the foundation perimeter and since it isn’t hindered by gutters or downspouts, it drains directly into the basement. This is the reason why you must keep gutters and downspouts clean, as well as maintained. Poorly installed window wells are another serious issue. Many homebuilders place window wells in a way that they drain any excess water directly into the basement. The water is left to flow against the wall and into the ground. Installing drainage tiles and window wells that effectively drain water will solve this issue. Finally, the most serious source of basement moisture is structural cracking. Water leaks through cracks in the foundation wall, and allows moisture to enter your basement environment. Most of these volume change cracks appear along stiff corners and masonry joints, as well as fireplaces. This can be protected against by installing concrete control joints, as well as ensuring proper connections are made between structure and foundation.