The Two C's

The Two C's

4 Causes Of Moisture Infiltration In The Basement (And What To Do About It)

by Floyd Dunn

Basements differ from the rest of the house due to their location below the ground level. Therefore, moisture from the soil can easily infiltrate the walls of a basement. This encourages mold and bacteria growth and makes the space uninhabitable. So what are the causes of moisture infiltration in the basement? How can you fix it to make the space livable? Read on to find out.

Interior Plumbing Leaks

Plumbing leaks can come from various places: damaged water pipes, leaking toilets or sinks, incorrectly-installed washers, and leaking water heaters. When moisture infiltrates the wall or floor, it can find its way into the basement. Luckily, plumbing leaks are easy to diagnose. If you notice moisture damage, water stains, and mold growth on the basement ceiling only, you have a plumbing leak. Besides waterproofing the basement, fix the damaged plumbing component to prevent further moisture damage to the structure.

Poor Grading of Your Property

For efficient water drainage, the ground around your home should slope away from the foundation. Thus, when it rains, rainwater flows away from the house instead of pooling around the foundation. If the ground is improperly graded, water will stagnate around the house and infiltrate the ground. Since the basement is below ground level, the moisture in the surrounding soil will seep into the walls.

If your property isn't graded correctly, you have two options. First, you could waterproof your basement from the inside to keep the moisture out. However, the foundation will still be vulnerable to water damage. Alternatively, you could use exterior waterproofing techniques to direct rainwater away from the structure and foundation. This method entails installing a drainage system around the house. It involves costly excavation work, but it pays off in the long run.

Ineffective Roof Drainage System

Gutters and downspouts play an important role in allowing rainwater to drain from the structure. If these systems are absent or aren't working correctly, rainwater will pool around your foundation, infiltrate the ground, and seep into the basement. Fixing your roof drainage system is an effective way of resolving basement moisture issues. However, since water could still infiltrate the walls from the soil, you should waterproof the basement from the inside to keep the moisture out. 

Basement Condensation

Condensation is a common problem in basements that are poorly heated, conditioned, and ventilated. Heat exchange between the basement ceiling and the home's floor creates condensation on the basement surfaces. With nowhere to escape, the moisture settles on the walls and creates a conducive environment for mold growth. As you waterproof the basement, you should also ventilate and insulate it to prevent condensation from forming on the interior walls.

Consult your contractor for basement waterproofing and insulation services.


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The Two C's

Welcome to a blog about the two C's. The two C's, as you might have already guessed are construction and contractors. These words are closely related. "Construction" refers to the art and science of building something. That something could be anything from a shed to a sidewalk. "Contractors" are the people who do the building. There are general contractors who do all sorts of building work, and then there are specialists who do work such as plumbing, electrical work, and drywall. Stop by and read a few articles when you have the time, and we promise you'll learn more about these two C's.

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