How can I prevent water seepage in a basement?

If you’ve got a basement, the last thing you want is for it to be wet. Unfortunately, many basements are damp because of water seeping in from the outside. How can you prevent this? We’ve got some helpful tips on proactive ways to prevent water seepage in a basement.

• Keep rainwater away from your foundation. Your first step is to check your gutters and downspouts. Your gutters must be free from debris to keep them from overflowing and depositing water against your foundation. Similarly, your downspouts must be unclogged and must direct water at least five feet away from the house. Consider adding extenders to your downspouts to keep the water away from your foundation and out of your basement.
• Make your landscaping work for you. The ground around your home should slope slightly away from your foundation because this will allow water runoff to travel away from your foundation and not towards it. Further, it’s important to be cautious about the plants you put around the house. While plants can be helpful in soaking in water from the soil, they can also extend roots into the foundation and create small cracks that will let water into your basement.
• Fix the foundation itself. Inspect your foundation, looking for gaps or cracks that need to be repaired. Smaller cracks can be sealed by the homeowner, but larger cracks require assistance from a foundation repair While you’re at it, seal any cracks in the basement walls and floors. Inspect the joints where your basement floor meets your foundation walls and look around basement windows to make sure there are no cracks, gaps, or holes there, either. Making any necessary repairs will help keep your basement dry.
• Take a critical look at your drainage system. In your basement, there are footing drains leading to underground pipes that carry water away from the home. Check these drains for clogs and make sure the pipes are clear. If you have a French drain in your basement that carries water to your sump pit, make sure that the system is working properly, and the drain isn’t clogged.
• Waterproof your basement. There are different ways to do this, from excavating around the perimeter of your home, installing a drainage system, and applying a moisture membrane to filling in any cracks and gaps and coating the interior walls with sealant or waterproof paint. These methods vary in expense, effectiveness, and durability, so it’s wise to consult with a professional basement waterproofing company to decide which is right for you.

If you need help keeping water from seeping into your basement, trust Reliable Basement Services to help you find the solution that’s right for your home. A family-owned and operated company, we’ve served the greater Chicago area for over a decade. We offer a full spectrum of basement services including crack repairs, sump pump systems, basement waterproofing, basement windows, and floor repair. Our consistently high standards have made us an award-winning Chicago basement waterproofing contractor, so call us at (630) 777-0539 or visit our website.