Basement Leak

A basement leak can be the cause for a great deal of concern for a home owner. If you have just noticed a basement leak forming, it is important that you identify the cause of the problem as soon as possible. The sooner the problem is identified, the less likely that mold will form in your basement. Mold can be a very dangerous health hazard, putting you and your family at risk of persistent flu like symptoms, rashes and complications with diseases such as asthma. Depending on the cause of your basement leak, your insurance company may cover it. Because of this, it is important that you take all of the necessary steps to see if your insurance policy covers a basement leak.

Once you have identified where the basement leak is coming from, you will need to determine one of three things. Is the leak structural, internal, or external? Structural basement leaks are most commonly caused by a problem with the foundation. This is the most expensive type of repair. Cracks in the foundation and a shifting foundation can cause structural leaks. Earthquakes are a common cause of foundation cracks that allow water to seep into your basement. Internal basement leaks are caused by leaky pipes in your home. This can be in the walls or the ceiling above your basement. These are typically the cheapest to repair. External basement leaks are caused by improper landscaping around your home. When the slope of the land does not allow water to drain away from your home, the water must go somewhere. This somewhere is directly into your basement. Snow build up around your home is another common cause of a basement leak as the home is warmer than the snow. The snow melts, then seeps into the cracks and crevices around your home. This water typically will drain into your basement. External basement leaks can be repaired by layering soil to alter the elevation of land near your property. In addition to this, you can run draining pipes in sections where elevation is not realistic. The exit of the pipe should always be lower than where the drain begins so that gravity will help force water down the drain.

No matter what the cause, a basement leak is something that should not be allowed to remain. Repairing a basement leak quickly can prevent the growth of mold which can be very difficult to remove once it has begun to grow.