Basement moisture refers to the dampness that penetrates homes and office buildings. Stopping the penetration of moisture is vital, and you can only do so if you can identify the causes of the issue. For this, we’ve given a few scenarios below and what you can do to fix the problem.
The first issue many homeowners and business owners face is inadequate grading. Inadequate grading refers to the scenario in which the ground near the foundation of a building slopes toward the house. You’ll also experience moisture problems if the ground is the same level as the foundation. This leads to the collection of water in your basement, as it isn’t redirected anywhere else. If your structure is built this way, this explains why you experience moisture issues. This problem is easily reversed by increasing the slope away from the foundation as well as getting rid of the levelness. This is done by placing soil around the building. This ensures that all water is directed elsewhere and not absorbed into the basement.
You will also suffer basement moisture problems if your building has defective gutters or downspouts. The absence of gutters is a reason why you are having moisture penetration issues, especially during wetter months. The reason why this happens is that rainwater hits the foundation perimeter, and it isn’t protected by gutters or downspouts, and drains right into the basement. To correct this, its advisable to repair or replace defective gutters and ensure downspouts are in place. Adding concrete to your sidewalk, so that is slopes away from the home, will help fight moisture problems.
Poorly designed and installed window wells will lead to basement moisture issues. Many architects cause this problem by constructing window wells in a way that they drain water directly into the basement. The water is left to flow against the wall and into the ground. This eventually leads right into your basement. Window wells are supposed to be designed in a way that they take water off the foundation. This defect can be corrected if you insist on filing the space between the windowsill and the footing. Introducing a drain tile is also highly recommended, as it drains water away from the foundation.
Cracks are common in concrete foundations, and they are also one of the main culprits when it comes to water penetration. Water leaks down through the cracks and into the basement, and this causes moisture problems. Most of these cracks will appear along stiff corners and masonry joints, and even fireplaces. To correct this, proper connections need to be made between the structure and the foundation. Also, concrete control joints should be used.
