I have water in my basement. What could it be?

There could be several reasons for having a wet basement. If you’ve noticed water in your basement, it may be a symptom of a more serious problem. A wet basement is a nuisance, not only because it requires you to clean up the water itself, but the water can also cause damage to your possessions, as well as flooring, and wall and window treatments. While you may be able to deal with the surfaces that have been affected by the moisture, you should hire a professional plumber to deal with the root of the issue.

What causes a wet basement?

If water is getting into your basement, it could mean there is a crack in your foundation. Or, your basement walls might be cracked. These are serious problems that require professional fixes, because simply patching up the visible cracks might not be enough. These simple fixes often lead to bigger problems. If you don’t have the root of the problem fixed properly, like a crack in the wall, the problem will only get bigger over time. Addressing the symptoms may create temporary relief from the water entering your house, but will end up causing worse damage in the long run, as you are ignoring the problem. Finding water in your basement might lead you to finding deeper issues with the construction of your home. The sooner you resolve these issues, the less money you will spend, and the better off you’ll be.

What damage could be caused by a wet basement?

You may find mould or mildew growing as the result of having a wet basement. Mould is a health concern for your whole family. Any boxes or personal items you have stored in your basement will be at risk of being destroyed by water getting in from outside. Concrete and wood can also rot and be destroyed by moisture in the walls. This will compromise the structure of your house. If you have carpeting or hardwood floors in your basement, they will need to be replaced if they are damaged by water. Replacing flooring, furniture, and personal items is costly, time-consuming, and difficult, so again, the sooner the source of the water is dealt with, the better.

What should I do?

If you have found water coming into your basement from outside, immediately remove all the furniture and personal items from the area. If necessary, pull up the carpet to prevent the moisture from spreading. Dry the area with towels and fans. Keep a de-humidifier in the room if you have one. If you have mould or mildew, use bleach to clean the area and prevent it from spreading. Be careful to use a mask, so not to inhale the mould, if it is bad. Essentially, do your best to clear the area to prevent excess damage, and then call a plumber to inspect the problem. The plumbers at Waterman Inc. will know exactly how to locate the problem, determine the extent of the damage, and will tell you what needs to be done to fully resolve the issue. A wet basement is a real and serious problem. By calling Waterman Inc., you will be on track to fixing the problem that is causing you to have a wet basement.