Why do Basements Leak?
This article aims at providing you with all the necessary information so that you can understand more about it.
One of the problems that frustrate homeowners are leaky basements. Many basements become waterlogged due to common flooding, however you might also be interested to know that the majority of basement leaks are do to common forces that occur underneath and around your basement foundation. Here is information on why basements leak.
Many times a basement leaks if there is lots of rain, your home is on a slope or in a low area or there is lots of snowfall. If you find that your basement is leaking during all times of the year and not due to the common flood, hydrostatic forces are probably at work.
Hydrostatic forces are the process of water being pushed up against your concrete or stone foundation as the water level rises and falls. Most people don’t realize that concrete is porous and when hydrostatic forces push against the basement foundation, it forces water to seep through the basement floor causing your basement to become water logged.
Another way basements leak is through capillary action. Capillaries are tiny crevices inside basement walls. If your basement is made from cinder blocks or other materials, your basement walls can be hollow, allowing water to seep in and build up. Once water is built up in your water, they seep through to the inside through crevices and seams.
It is important to first understand why basement leaks to come up with strategies to stop the basement leaks and seepage.
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