Leak in the Basement? We’ve got you covered!

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Basements are notorious for flooding during heavy rains. Because they are beneath ground level,
any weakness in the foundation or gap in the windows or walls can end up allowing water in. A
leak in a finished basement can be disastrous, but even a leakage in an unfinished basement can
be dangerous too. Water allows in mold, and often, flood water is contaminated and thus
hazardous to your health.
If you notice water coming into your basement, you should first try to find the source. If you
happen to catch a leak while it’s happening, check the windows, walls, and pipes to see if those
are the sources. Sometimes, water can come in through humidity too. To see check, there’s a
trick you can use with aluminum foil. Tape it on your wall and see where moisture appears. If
it’s behind the aluminum, you have a leak, and if it’s on top, the issue is from humidity.
With humidity, you can patch vents with foil tape and add foam insulators to pipes. You can also
get a dehumidifier, which will help keep the area dry. A leak, unfortunately, is much more
difficult to manage.
If you have windows, those are a likely culprit, as any small breach will allow water in.
Windows are usually situated in a well, so the pressure from heavy rain really tests their strength.
One option is to buy window well covers, which can help keep the rain out. Unfortunately,
sometimes water can still get in, and in that case, you need to take some extra measures. One
option is to enforce the seal on the window. You can also adjust your landscaping so that water is
less likely to get in.
A leak in the foundation or walls can lead to some serious work. Although you may need a
professional to fix whatever the issue is, you might be able to fix the problem by sealing any
cracks with hydraulic cement or waterproof coating. You can also install a drainage system that
will lessen the amount of water putting pressure on the foundation. Gutters and downpour
systems help with this too.
There are many ways that water can get into basements, and sometimes trial and error is
necessary. However, if you do have a flood, the first thing you should do is get it professionally
cleaned, so that it doesn’t cause more problems. SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe,
(847) 498-8889, is available 24/7 for emergency services, and we have the expertise and
experience for any kind of water damage. Give us a call if you’d like to schedule a cleaning or if
you have any questions.