6 Causes of Basement Moisture and 3 Ways to Stop Them

Having a basement is a great aspect of home ownership in the Raleigh-Durham area. After all, not all parts of the United States can offer the option of this extra indoor space. But many homeowners take having a basement for granted. They forget that basement moisture can cause costly damage if not controlled. Below, we explore the six primary causes of basement moisture and how to stop them.

Six Causes of Basement Moisture

Water is one of the most damaging elements on Earth. One only has to consider the Grand Canyon to understand that water can carve its way through even the most resilient materials. Around your home, water can unfortunately create cracks and seep through brick, wood, rock, concrete and soil. This leaves your home particularly vulnerable to basement moisture. Moisture even develops inside your basement from environmental changes.

Below are the six main causes of basement moisture:

Poor Drainage in the Soil
It is very important that you have proper drainage for water around your home’s foundation. Otherwise, rainfall and groundwater can make their way through your foundation and into the basement. Instead of routing itself around your home’s hard external surfaces, water from soil builds up around the foundation and finds a way in. Once inside your home, a tiny leak or seeping water turns into damaging basement moisture.

Ineffective Gutters
Rain gutters along the base of your roof and down the side of your home are supposed to properly direct rainfall away from the building. But when these gutters are poorly constructed, become clogged or malfunction, damaging water drains directly toward your foundation. There, the water seeps into your house and becomes basement moisture.

Improper Slope
The slope of the land on which your home sits also plays a role in properly directing water away from the structure. An improper slope can enable water to collect at the foundation and seep inside.

Hydrostatic Pressure
Water building up around your foundation creates hydrostatic pressure. Gravity then forces the water down and outward to relieve the pressure. If the water is not properly redirected, it forces itself through existing cracks and even creates new ways into your basement.

Basement Cracks
Obviously, having cracks in your basement’s structure enables water to make its way inside. Water even has the power to expand cracks, particularly during the freeze-thaw cycles of winter.

Condensation
Even without water seeping in through your home’s foundation or basement walls, condensation creates a basement moisture problem. Even slight moisture creates bad smells, mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can be very expensive to eradicate once they occur, particularly if they grow within your basement’s structure and spread to other parts of your home.

Thankfully, there are multiple ways to prevent or stop these six causes of basement moisture. The professionals of Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions of Raleigh, Southern Pines and Fayetteville can help. Below are three key solutions we offer to rid your home of this moisture and keep it dry for years to come.

Top 3 Ways to Stop Basement Moisture

Preventing basement moisture is actually easier than you might think. You only need to call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions to evaluate your moisture threats and install basement waterproofing.

The top three methods of basement waterproofing include:

Indoor Waterproofing
From the inside of your basement, there are a variety of methods for basement waterproofing and preventing moisture. These methods include sealants and coatings used to fill cracks and provide a waterproof barrier.

Outdoor Waterproofing
Outdoor basement waterproofing methods keep damaging water outdoors, where it belongs. These effective options include exterior sealant applications and gutter systems.

Drainage Systems
Basement moisture quickly builds up if your home does not have adequate internal or external drainage. Common types of basement drainage include the installation of sump pumps inside or French drains outside.

Contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions Today

If you suspect your home has basement moisture problems, Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions is ready to help. We proudly serve the Raleigh, Southern Pines and Fayetteville areas, as well as surrounding communities. We provide a free inspection of your home to determine the best methods of basement waterproofing to solve your moisture problems. Then, we develop a detailed written plan for you that includes a project timeline and cost estimate. Call Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions today at (919) 508-7503.