Causes and Solutions for Leaking Basement Walls

A home’s basement walls are created within a large hole built by home builders. Once the basement walls are built, the home builders will fill the remaining empty space around the walls with dirt, called backfill soil. Backfill soil is not as tightly compacted as the untouched soil, which can contribute to causes of basement leaking walls.

 

Causes of Basement Wall Cracking and Leaking

Footing Drains

A footing drain is a pipe that has holes drilled in it, which is installed on the outside of a foundation to help direct water away from a home’s foundation. Unfortunately, these holes can become clogged with the backfill soil, and once the pipes are clogged, it will allow water to collect near the basement’s foundation, causing hydrostatic pressure and basement wall cracking.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is the result of what happens when water has no route away from a home, so it begins to push against the foundation. This pressure will press against basement walls causing basement wall cracking and leaking as water enters a homeowner’s basement.

Wall Cracks

Bowing or tilting walls are results of hydrostatic pressure pushing against walls of a basement. Basement wall cracks will allow water to seep through and create a wet basement.

Soil Settlement

The backfill soil builders used to fill the empty space around a home’s basement walls will settle due to being loose. Once backfill soil settles, it will allow water to run towards the foundation, contributing to hydrostatic pressure against basement walls.  Additionally, gutters that do not face away from a home will also contribute to hydrostatic pressure.

Nor’easters

Nor’easter storms are causes of wet, flooded basements. These storms typically occur during October – March; however, Nor’easter storms can occur at any time of the year. Heavy rainfall, flooding, snow, and hurricane force winds are associated with these storms, which add to causes of hydrostatic pressure and wet basements.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes bring heavy rainfall and flooding, which adds to hydrostatic pressure against basement walls. Before this year’s hurricane season is here, be sure to read the helpful Hurricane Tips Article.

Basement Waterproofing Solutions

If a basement shows signs of water leakage or flooding through cracked walls, JES Foundation Repair has basement waterproofing solutions that will help keep a basement dry and prevent further issues with wall cracks or bowed walls.

Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier provided from JES is one solution to prevent humidity in a basement. Dampness in a basement due to humidity will create mold growth, rotting wood, fungus, and dust mites. JES dehumidifier provides protection for basements by removing odors and stopping mold growth and is designed to withstand long-life damp basement conditions. Plus, the JES dehumidifier connects to a drain so homeowners do not have empty water out constantly.

French Drain System

JES’ french drain system, BasementGutter, is equipped to help make sure water around a basement is easily directed away from the home, and the design separates soil from the basement floor to prevent clogging. JES provides a year-round serviceable product with a 20-year warranty for homeowners. 

Sump Pumps

Another drainage system that will keep a basement dry is a sump pump. A variety of sump pumps are available from JES Foundation Repair for to include, SafeDri TripleSafe Sump Pump, Safe Dri SuperSump Pump, and SafeDri SmartSump Pump systems. Sump pumps are designed to have airtight floor drains which allow water to exit but not enter. JES sump pumps have a high-volume pumping option, a child- safe cover which repels pests, odors, and radon gas, and the design includes an alarm alert to let homeowners know if a basement water level begins to rise.

Wall Anchors

Foundation wall anchors can strengthen and repair a basement’s bowing or tilting walls. The three-part system works together against the pressure being exerted against basement walls by molding to basement walls to provide stability. Benefits of choosing JES wall anchors include, a year-round installation, a lifetime warranty on each wall anchor, the installation has little mess to landscapes, and is an economical solution to a basement bowing walls.

Carbon Fiber Wall Repair System

JES’ Carbon Fiber wall repair support system helps restore the value of a home, by restoring basement bowing or tilting walls. Ten times stronger than steel, the carbon fiber system is installed flat against bowing and cracking basement walls. These fibers made from pure epoxy have a strong and flexible design to provide basement walls with stabilization. 

If your home’s basement is experiencing any of the problem signs mentioned, click the link below for a free full inspection.

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