What’s causing moisture in basements and how to fix it

Excess moisture in basements is a common problem. Indoor humidity, ground waters, and leaky basements are often the causes of moisture in basements. Moisture can damage the furnishings and finishing of your home. It may also cause the foundation to deteriorate, potentially compromising the structural integrity of your home. You cannot ignore the signs of a leaky basement, as the problem will not fix itself (as much as you might like to hope it might) and will ultimately lead to further, more expensive issues. Unfortunately, it can also be an extremely detrimental one.

Signs of Moisture in Basements

You might wonder – how can I tell if I have a basement moisture problem?

Here are the most common causes of moisture in basements:

• Odor/presence of mold or mildew
• Stains on walls or floors
• White powder on concrete/brick walls (called efflorescence)
• Drywall damage (sagging, blistering)
• Rusting of pipes/plumbing
• Rotting joists, studs, etc.
• Trickling or standing water

If you notice any of these things, you must immediately act. You need to find the cause of the problem; that way, you can determine what steps to take next to resolve it.

Causes

Water in your basement can come from several different sources. If you have a bathroom in your basement, for example, there could be excess humidity causing condensation. Dryers can also contribute moisture to the interior environment. These sources of moisture are relatively easy to combat. Sometimes, the plumbing can spring a leak – a much more serious issue, though usually straightforward to fix. It is essential to check your systems regularly, as detecting a leak earlier rather than later is preferable.

Another serious source of moisture is rain or groundwater. Water from outside the home leaches into the basement. This is generally a result of improper drainage, causing water to remain in contact with your foundation. The longer your foundation is exposed to water, the more likely it becomes damaged. If you have discovered you have a leaky basement, do not panic. Check out the potential solutions below.

How to get rid of moisture in the basement?

1. Improve the basic interior environment of your home.

As mentioned before, things inside your home can contribute to moisture in the air. Installing a fan in any bathroom is a good idea to increase airflow and help things dry out. A dehumidifier can also be worthwhile, especially in a humid climate.

If you have any water leaks inside your home, they need to be dealt with immediately. As mentioned before, plumbing issues can be severe, but for the most part, they are quick and easy to fix. You may need to contact a plumbing professional to resolve the issue. The good news is that if a plumbing leak is the only source of moisture in your basement, once it is fixed and everything is dried out, you should not have any more problems.

2. Reduce moisture around the outside of your home.

One of the easiest ways to protect your basement foundation from water damage is to clean your gutters and direct all downspouts away from your house. Clogged gutters cause water to overflow and run down the sides of your house. This can expose your foundation to moisture (especially if you do not waterproof your basement properly), making it more susceptible to deterioration.

Verifying how the soil is graded around your home and improving it if necessary is also essential. If the ground is sloped towards your home, more water will pool around the foundation, increasing the risk of damage. You also want to consider keeping flower beds away from the edge of your house. Similarly, keeping large bodies of water (like feature ponds) as far away from your house as possible is ideal. This will limit adding extra water to the soil around the home.

Exterior basement waterproofing is another valuable investment. Simply put, the soil is removed from around the basement wall, and a moisture barrier is installed. A waterproofing professional will be able to determine what time of barrier is needed for your specific foundation, as well as any other prep work that may be necessary. Once the barrier is in place, a drainage system is then installed.

3. Invest in interior basement waterproofing.

Interior basement waterproofing is a great option when exterior waterproofing is not. Sometimes, the physical location of a house or the soil conditions surrounding it makes it impossible to employ exterior waterproofing. In these cases, interior waterproofing is recommended to prevent the impacts of a leaky basement. It is also imperative that any cracks in the foundation are dealt with as soon as possible. You will need to determine what type of crack you are dealing with to make the appropriate plan of action for repair (check out foundation crack types and how to fix them for more info).

Hire a professional

Do not ignore the signs of a leaky basement. Contact basement waterproofing specialists in Toronto today for a free inspection of your home’s basement.

Other helpful articles:

• What to do when your basement floods from rain?