Wet basements smell musty and nasty and pose a great risk to the health of the home. If left unchecked, the wet basement can ruin the floor, encourage the growth of mold, and even go as far as damaging the roof. A wet basement is essentially useless. It is unlivable and cannot store anything that is not waterproof. The growth of mold and the humidity can result in serious health issues. Fixing the problem of a wet basement is one of the most important things one can ever do for their homes.
There are many simple wet basement solutions like clearing gutters and diverting the water. Still, if the problem persists, it might be time to try one of the following.
Adding extensions to the gutter
If the downspouts dump water less than 5 feet away from the house, then the water can be guided away by adding an extension. However, it is important to note that these are not the best long term wet basement solutions around, especially if there is a possibility that one can trip over them or run them over with a lawn mower.
Gaps
Sometimes, the source of the water trickling into the basement might be obvious. If the water is seeping in through cracks that are visible on the walls, then perhaps it might be time to plug the gaps. The plugs will only work as wet basement solutions if the water is only seeping through a hole either from wet soil or from the surface. If the water is coming up through the floor, or at the joints between the floor and the walls, then the problem involves groundwater and is a much larger one.
Crown
Sometimes, even when the problem is not one of groundwater and the gutters have been extended, the water might still seep into the house basement, even after the gaps have been plugged. This could mean that the surface water is not being driven away as it should. The house should sit on a crown, sloping away at least six inches within the first ten feet around the house.
Bring in the experts
While there are many DIY options available, sometimes the seeping basement solution that is apparent will only be a stop gap measure. It is only the trained and experienced eye that can see a much larger problem. Involve the experts in finding a solution to the leaky basement.
