Basement Waterproofing: Causes of Basement Leaks

Almost all homeowners with basements are going to experience basement leaks at some point. You may think you can do your own basement waterproofing and leak repair in Charleston or Lexington by filling cracks or making sure your sump pump is functional, but with as many causes of basement leaks as there are methods of basement waterproofing - the only way you can truly stop basement water problems is by knowing what the cause of your basement leak is and stopping it from the root. 

Hydrostatic Pressure and Basement Leaks

When it comes to the causes of basement leaks, the main culprit is almost always hydrostatic pressure. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, hydrostatic pressure is when the volume of water within the soil grows to the point that it exerts pressure under the force of gravity. Water weighs nearly 8.5 pounds per gallon and tens of thousands of gallons of water fall in just an inch of rain. This means literal tons of water are falling on and around your home when it rains and the weight of all that water leads to a massive increase in the hydrostatic pressure of the soil. This pressure exerts itself on your foundation walls and leads to cracks, buckling, and leaks that can become full-on basement flooding. Almost all basement leaks can be traced back to hydrostatic pressure.

Other Causes of Water in Basement

Generally if water is infiltrating your basement from the outside, you can trace it back to hydrostatic pressure. However, sometimes you can get basement leaks that occur from your own plumbing issues. If you’re not sure what is causing your basement to leak, you can call United Structural Systems in Charleston and Lexington, West Virginia to assess the problem and give you a free estimate on basement waterproofing and leak repair services. 

Where Can Basement Leaks Occur?

There are several places within your basement that water can seep through. 

  • Floor and wall cracks are a prime place for water from the soil to leak into your basement. This is an example of a basement leak that may seem to have a simple solution - sealing the crack. However, that fails to address what caused the crack in the first place.
  • The cove joint - where the walls meet the floor of your basement - is another place that is prone to water leaking. As with floor cracks, simply sealing the joint will not stop additional leaks from coming because it fails to address what’s making the water seep through. 
  • The top of your foundation wall can often have a gap where it meets the aboveground structure of your home, and this will lead to leaks if your basement is not appropriately waterproofed.
  • Mortar joints are the areas between concrete blocks or bricks and mortar is a porous material that can allow water to seep through it. It is also prone to cracks. In the same vein, concrete that has not been mixed properly can become porous and cause leaks.
  • If you have window wells without drains or with drains that aren’t functioning, they can lead to leaks. 

Contact USS KY for Basement Waterproofing

Whatever the culprit is when it comes to your basement leaks, United Structural Systems of Kentucky can find the problem and fix it - permanently. Say goodbye to basement waterproofing “solutions” that temporarily mask the problem without addressing the cause of your leak. Don’t leave your Charleston and Lexington, West Virginia basement at risk for major flooding - call us today for a free basement waterproofing and leak repair service estimate!