What to do in case of water infiltration in the basement?

If you are concerned about your property due to water seepage in the basement, these tips will be very helpful. It will help you know exactly what to do and who to contact. This will allow you to take the appropriate steps to protect your home and your investment. In doing so, the situation will become clearer and the solutions more obvious.

What should you do if you find water in the basement?

Any amount of water in the basement should be an immediate concern. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for water accumulation to turn into mold. Check for warning signs of water infiltration.

Some signs may indicate water infiltration due to foundation settlement. The first step is to inspect your property and pay particular attention to the following signs :

  • Cracks in the foundation

  • Taux d’humidité élevé

  • High humidity

  • White powder

  • Marks at the bottom of the basement walls

  • Water on the walls

  • Mold

If you see one or more warning signs, it is recommended that you call a foundation expert. This expert will confirm your concerns or reassure you about potential cracks or water infiltration. It is best not to wait to consult, as water infiltration problems can worsen over time.

Here are some situations that can cause water infiltration in your home:

Important landscaping and gutters to avoid water infiltration in the basement

If the soil around the foundation is saturated, excess water will seep into the basement through cracks in the walls and floor, or by seepage through untreated walls.

Make sure the floor is graded away from the basement wall at a rate of about one-half inch of slope per foot. Check that the gutters are free of debris so that rain does not overflow and run down the wall of the house. Downspouts should direct roof runoff away from the foundation. If the downspout does not do its job, water will pool along the foundation wall and eventually seep into the basement.

Keep climbing vines from growing up the foundation walls and place foundation plantings (shrubs, etc.) far enough away from the walls so that air can circulate through the house and into the basement. Keep the gravel underside of skylights free of debris.

If your basement is damp, it is wise to call a professional for an on-site inspection. Failure to address the problem can damage the structure and resale value of your home.

Windows

If the basement has windows, it is extremely important to check the caulking around them. A small opening can collect enough water to create mold behind the drywall. You may not notice it, but the air now has a higher than normal mold count.

Brick walls

If your home has brick walls, it is essential that there be an opening at regular intervals in the drain holes on the lower level of the masonry. Because brick is porous, it retains a high level of moisture (water). The drain holes allow water to escape through the back of the masonry. Water is guided by a membrane under the lower courses of masonry. If the membrane is breached or the holes are blocked, the water (in search of its own leveling) will flow over the footer plate (at the top of the foundation and into the basement walls behind the gypsum stone walls). This water will then continue to flow under a raised floor. These areas do not dry out and since the water becomes moldy after 24-48 hours, this area would probably not pass an air test.

Terraces

If a deck is attached to the house, it is recommended that a flashing be installed behind the fascia board to ensure that water does not seep over the base plate or it will enter the basement. This results in more mold than normal in the basement.

Get your peace of mind back!

If you have water infiltration in your home, rest assured that there are solutions to prevent and control water infiltration. Minor solutions can help repair cracks when they are quickly corrected by professionals. There is no one better than a foundation expert to help you solve this type of situation. Contact an expert as soon as possible before the situation gets out of hand and you are left with mold problems! This specialist will be able to remedy your problem by finding the right solution and give you back your peace of mind.

In case of water infiltration in the basement please contact us, in order to proceed with the cleaning and decontamination of possible molds