Basement Moisture Control & Flood Prevention Tips

Flood Prevention and Moisture Control for Finished & Unfinished Basements

In some areas of the country and in some types of homes, basement flooding seems like part of life you have to begrudgingly accept. Those issues can become more complicated depending on if your house has a finished basement or not. There are so many internal and external reasons a basement might experience an excess of moisture.

For one, thanks to heavy rain/snow or external flooding, rain water may seep into your home and find its way into your basement. Internal causes of external moisture or flooding are more complex. Anything from a minor hairline crack in your plumbing or a burst pipe can immediately lead to a large amount of water that pools in your basement.

Another reason for basement flooding could be defective gutters and downspouts, or ineffective grading around your house. As Sedona Waterproofing Solutions says, it is important for the ground around your foundation to slope away from your house. Because, if it is in the wrong direction because water will accumulate. Cracked foundation could also cause water to seep into your basement. It could even lead to more cracks, as well.

Finally, condensation can lead to issues with moisture in a finished or unfinished basement as well. It is one of the easier issues to solve. But if you don't catch it quick enough, it can lead to issues over time.

These moisture-related issues can understandably feel overwhelming to any homeowner. But we'll walk you through how to handle them in this article. We'll go over common water-related issues that homeowners may find in their finished and unfinished basements, how to handle them, and who to call if you need a little extra help. You'll walk away feeling more confident about how to keep your basement safe and dry, which will protect your whole house.

Understand the Flood Risk in Your Area

One of the most important, initial steps you can do to protect your house from flooding is to understand the flood risk in your area and understand what your responsibility is as a homeowner.

Leverage tools like the flood risk calculator from Flood Smart. If you enter in your zip code, it'll inform you if you're lower, moderate, or higher risk for flooding. The website also offers a visual breakdown of flood zones and maps, allowing you to understand why your risk level is where it's at.

Reach out to your local government and ask the following questions from Utilities Kingston:

• What type of servicing do I have access to for my home?
• What is your municipality doing to address flooding in the community?
• What can I do as a homeowner to protect myself and protect my neighbors?
• Where can I find more information on basement flooding?
• Does the municipality offer any financial assistance programs?

Once you have a clear understanding of your specific flood risk, make sure you fully understand your insurance coverage. Ask the right questions — For example, what happens to your coverage if you have to make a claim? If that happens, does it affect your rates or insurability? If your home is not insurable because of previous flooding claims, reach out and ask what you can do to reinstate coverage.

Reasons You Might Have Moisture in Your Basement

Is there a situation in your basement causing concern that you might have a leak or too-high humidity? As Sedona Waterproofing says, you need to keep an eye out for the following warning signs:

• The base of your concrete walls are saturated
• Pools of condensation on the walls and floor
• Water coming out of the walls
• The odor of mildew or mold
• Walls that are stained or blistering
• A pool of standing water on the floor
• Deteriorating carpet or wood floors

If you see one or more of these indicators, it's crucial that you find the source of excess water or moisture in your basement. Typically, it will come from one of the three following sources — groundwater, interior moisture sources, and ventilation with humid air.

Why Is Your Basement Wet?

As This Old House says in the video above, only about 40 percent of home in the US have basements. But 60 percent of those basements have moisture issues. Let's unpack the reasons why your basement is experiencing too much moisture:

Water is Coming up Through Concrete Basement Floor

If you see water coming up through your unfinished basement floor, or coming in where the basement walls meet the floor, the source of water is likely subsurface groundwater. Hydrostatic pressure is likely to blame for this. As Basement Systems says, rising groundwater and saturation from heavy rains causes hydrostatic pressure. This pushes against the foundation and sends water through cracks in the concrete.

Water is Found Near Exterior Foundation

If you only see water near the exterior foundation walls of your basement, than that likely means the issue is that surface water isn't draining properly. There are several problems that could cause this:

• Leaky basement windows or clogged window wells caused by outside leaves and debris.
• Overflowing gutters erode soil, which can cause foundation cracks.
• As Basement System says, "downspouts should extend at least 10 feet from the house to ensure runoff is discharged far enough away from the foundation."
• Your yard and the soil next to the house should slope sloping toward your foundation.
• Your pavement has cracked and settled over time, leading to rainwater flowing toward your house. A contractor can repair or replace the pavement so that it slopes away from the home.
• Water leaking in through the roof and running down into and damaging your basement ceiling or walls.

Flooded Basement with Water Covering All/Most of the Basement

Finished or unfinished basements flooding during wet weather is a common problem. But there are a number of reasons that could lead to this.

• If your sump pump is malfunctioning or defective, your basement can flood.
• A damaged or burst pipe, cracked washing machine hose, or failed hot water tank can cause flooding.
• When the water level gets too high, water can back up in the storm system and seep into your basement.

Your Basement is Too Humid

Basements can easily get too humid for a number of reasons. As Thrasher Foundation Repair states, 30-50 percent is considered safe levels for humidity. With basements being underground, surrounded by soil, and lacking much fresh air, they're prime candidates for too much humidity.

But luckily, there are some clear physical signs of excess humidity in your basement.

• Condensation on windows
• Wet stains on walls/floors
• White, chalky substance on walls
• Damp, humid air
• Musty or mildew smell
• Wood rot

If you're experiencing any of those signs, you can purchase a hygrometer to measure the humidity. If your levels reach over 50 percent, it's time to look into a solution.

How to Keep Your Basement Dry

Too much moisture in your basement can lead to a number of issues. When your basement floods, walls, floors, and your possessions can be destroyed. Too much humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth, which in turn may cause potential health issues. But there are several steps you can take to keep your basement dry.

How to Prevent Basement Flooding and High Humidity

• Put in external window well covers to prevent heavy rainfall from seeping through windows into your basement. If you purchase clear acrylic covers, they'll deflect water but still allow for daylight to come in.
• Clear your gutters and downspouts old leaves and other built-up debris. Clean them on a regular basis to ensure that the water from your roof flows away from your house. Home improvement expert Bob Vila's advice is to position the downspouts at least three feet away from the foundation to drain storm water away from your home.
• As Life Lanes says, "Install a backwater valve to prevent sewage from backing up into your basement after heavy rain. A backwater valve works with your sump pump and pit to divert excess water from your home."
• Keep a close eye on your foundation. Seal any cracks. Also make sure to check for gaps or cracks in your basement walls or floor. Seal up whatever you find with hydraulic cement or epoxy.
• Poor ventilation is a common culprit of high humidity. Air needs to move freely in and out of your basement. There are some easy ways to make sure that happens. Regularly use fans and open windows to circulate air. Vent household appliances outside and invest in a quality air purifier to run.

Waterproof Your Basement

One of the most fool-proof ways to keep your basement dry is to waterproof it. If you're experiencing any of the following problems, it's time to consider waterproofing your basement.

• Musty odors
• Mold or mildew growth
• Water seeping in
• Water marks or stains on walls
• Basement flooding and water puddles
• Condensation in your basement
• Cracks in your basement walls
• Bowed, damaged, or crumbling walls
• Your floors are sinking
• Paint is peeling off your basement walls
• Rust
• Dry rot
• Bug infestations
• No sump pump or water control system

There are additional ways you can protect your basement. If you're comfortable with it, conduct regular minor repairs to the foundation and walls. Put in proper tools, such as water detection alarms or moisture alarms. But if all else fails, don't be afraid to turn to professionals.

As Basements and Interiors says, "the true value of your home is dependent on a solid foundation." In addition to causing health risks, a wet basement is a serious red flag that can tank home value and deter potential buyers when it comes time to sell.

How McCombs Supply Can Help Your Protect Your Basement

Having a waterproof basement is crucial for any homeowner. It will help save your home from water damage and potential mold growth, which protects your family's health and your home's value. There are some DIY projects you can undertake yourself to waterproof your basement. However, there comes a point where it's time to call in a professional. Here are some reasons from Dry Basement:

• Professionals have the experience, knowledge, and specialized equipment needed to properly identify and address basement water problems. They'll be able to provide a comprehensive solution to address the main cause of the problem, instead of just putting a temporary bandage on the issue.
• Calling a professional for a one-time fix is a better investment than multiple DIY fixes. As a novice, you might accidentally make mistakes. That means you will have to spend even more money to correct the problem. Professional waterproofing services ensure you'll get a thorough solution and avoid further damage in the future.
• Similarly, if you're attempting to waterproof your basement yourself, you're going to spend a lot of time researching, shopping, and figuring out where to begin. Those hours will rack up, before you even start the job. A profession will be able to do the job quickly and effectively.
• As previously mentioned, too much moisture in your basement can lead to health issues. A waterproofing professional will understand how to safely and effectively eradicate those issues for good.

Set your waterproofing professionals up for success by ensuring you have the best and most up-to-date appliances in your basement. McCombs Supply can help with that. We offer replacement repair parts for dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, range-ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, HVAC, commercial refrigeration, commercial cooking, and more.

Need a water alarm? Our Supco WG1 Water Guard offers 24 hour protection against water damage. We also offer the Supco WGW24, which is wired to shut off your air conditioner if the unit detects water. Similarly, we also have a water flood overflow sensing moisture detector to turn off your HVAC when water is present. We also have air conditioning condensate removal pumps to ensure your basement has a healthy amount of humidity.

We are committed to providing you with quality products, great customer service, fast shipping, and competitive prices. McCombs is constantly upgrading our cutting-edge technology to serve our customers better. Ready to see how we can help you protect your basement? Reach out to us now to let us know what waterproofing tools you need for your basement.

Contact us today to take the first steps in Moisture Control and Flood Prevention!