Common Foundation Water Problems
If you have a crack that you think is SUSPECT, talk to us for an assessment to determine what you can do to fix it and prevent future foundation problems.
Foundation Cracks
Water usually finds its way into your home is through cracks in the foundation. While not all cracks are serious, if they are of a certain size, water will find its way through and start the erosion process. The single best exterior foundation waterproofing strategy for avoiding foundation leaks is to keep water away from your home in the first place.
This includes proper grading to carry water away from your foundation, proper installation of downspouts, maintenance of these downspouts to ensure they are connected properly and not blocked.
Vertical Wall Cracks
Vertical cracks are usually not as serious as horizontal foundation cracks. Many homes contain vertical cracks, especially appearing not long after construction is finished. This is part of the natural settlement of the foundation, but they should be inspected for size and length to ensure they are not a threat to the structure of the home.
Diagonal or Horizontal Wall Cracks
Horizontal foundation cracks are more serious and should be inspected by an expert. Caused by expansive soils, hydrostatic pressure or other sources of physical damage, horizontal cracks can compromise the holding ability of your foundation and should be inspected immediately for cause and repair.
Location is Everything
Where these cracks are located will determine the cause and severity. This is why analysis of foundation cracks should always be done by an experienced foundation and waterproofing team. Horizontal cracks are usually signs of a larger problem and can compromise the integrity of the wall they appear on.
The location of the crack can indicate the likely cause of the damage, including frost damage, premature back filling during construction, soil movement, hydrostatic pressure, dense soils, earth pressure and even nearby construction.
Foundation Wall Shrinkage Cracks
If you have a poured concrete foundation, shrinkage cracks are a common problem. As the concrete cures during the initial pour, internal stresses develop. These stresses can lead to cracks. Look at your basement windows and door frames for the presence of these hairline cracks. These are shrinkage cracks and are usually only a cosmetic issue, not structural. However, they are worth keeping an eye on to determine if they are spreading or growing, indicating a more serious problem that requires attention and inspection.
Types of shrinkage cracks that are worrisome are those that run the full length of the foundation wall. These can become an area where water may enter. They may expand if there is soil movement and settling over time, especially as the seasons change and the mortar and concrete around the home naturally expands and contracts.
Exterior and Interior Foundation Drains
In terms of exterior waterproofing solutions, weeping tile systems are the most effective way to collect and move water away from your home’s foundation. Weeping tile systems are proven to keep water away from your home’s foundation, provided they are installed properly, without debris entering the drains and with a proper drainage point for the collected water.
Installed near the footings of your exterior foundation walls, weeping tile systems are covered with gravel that allows water through but not debris. The water is collected as it drains down your waterproof membrane or from the ground around your home’s exterior.
Weeping Tile Benefits
In terms of exterior waterproofing solutions, weeping tile systems are the most effective way to collect and move water away from your home’s foundation, provided they are installed properly. The water is moved away from your home to a drainage point, such as a storm sewer, drainage ditch, or sump pump pit.
Clogged Footing Drains or Weeping Tile System
Over time, issues can start to appear with your weeping tile drainage system. With the amount of water being collected and filtered, debris or soil particles can build up in the drainage pipe and possibly start to cause overflow or clogs.
Check your drainage pipe to see if water is properly flowing and look for any other signs of water leakage around your basement. If your drainage pipe does not have a steady flow of water during rain, or if you start to notice leakage in your basement, contact our waterproofing professionals for a diagnosis of any clogs.
Clogged Footing Drains or Weeping Tile System
Over time, issues can start to appear with your weeping tile drainage system. With the amount of water being collected and filtered, debris or soil particles can build up in the drainage pipe and possibly start to cause overflow or clogs.
Check your drainage pipe to see if water is properly flowing and look for any other signs of water leakage around your basement. If your drainage pipe does not have a steady flow of water during rain, or if you start to notice leakage in your basement, contact our waterproofing professionals for a diagnosis of any clogs.
Window Well Leakage
Window wells are a very common place to find leaks in your basement. If your window wells are not properly installed then water can accumulate in the well and overflow into your basement, erode your foundation wall and damage your windows. Window wells should be free from debris such as sticks, leaves, and plants. They should never have water pooling on top of the rocks inside of the window well. Pooling water means that the window well is not properly draining water away from your windows and this will eventually lead to a leak.
Exterior foundation waterproofing elements, such as a membrane wrap, won’t fully protect you if your window well is accumulating water and not draining. Pooling water will eventually find its way into your home, likely through the window or any damaged seal around it. Ask us about the best way to protect your window wells, including window well covers that keeps debris out of the window well itself.
Grading and Water Leakage
Grading means the slope of the ground around your home. If water is running towards your foundation instead of away from it, then the grading on your property is failing to protect your home from water damage. Water should always flow away from your home towards a ditch, sewer or other drainage areas. With melting snow or heavy rains, poor grading can cause water to start to pool around your home’s foundation and this is bad news for protecting your basement from leakage.
For tips on how to improve your grading, or to discuss any water leakage due to improper grading, call us today at Stay Dry for a consultation. We can ensure your water leakage issues are fixed for good. We can assess your property and propose a solution that fits your specific situation and your budget. With years of experience in waterproofing solutions, we know how to keep your basement dry and safe from water leakage.