Wet basements can prove to be pesky and moldy, creating dampness and claustrophobia. One must seek specific solutions to get rid of the inconvenience caused due to this condition.
When the weather becomes misty and rains are on the verge of encroaching our belongings, we seem to find our basements in a frenzy. Basement problems may also culminate when there is a source of water playing host to water seepage through the crevices or pores in walls. It becomes all the more troublesome when we have a nitty-gritty of our belongings stored in there. We may safely state that the belongings may not be extremely important, yet they are not worth discarding either. It is disturbing to see molds and fungi grip the stored material. Apart from the presence of water in the basement, there are probabilities that water may corrode and destroy objects and materials in the basement storehouse. Water in the basement could be due to drainage discrepancies, mismanaged water-proofing solutions and even due to defective gutter system.
Problems and Solutions to Damp Basements
Given here is a table that presents problems and delivers corresponding solutions to the same. You may identify with the problems mentioned in the table and it is probable that you seek the solution that you have been looking out for.
| Problem | Solution |
| #1 – You have no idea where the water in the basement hails from. You have been looking out for sources, however, you have failed to find one. | If you think you cannot manage to find the source, then place a thin aluminum sheet where the dampness resides. Let the foil stay as it is for a day or two. On the third day itself you may notice the aluminum sheet in either of the two conditions mentioned below:
You need to consult a plumber to undertake the task of applying water-proofing agents or compounds such as veneers to stop the water seepage. |
| #2 – Gutter water does not flow smoothly causing leakage and thus dampness in the basement. | Notice the flow of the gutter water. Make sure to have a look at it when rains are in full swing. If you observe that the gutter water is clogging, you must clean the gutter and drain the muck material that is obstructing the flow of water through its right sources. It is always advisable to install a concrete gutter that restrains water clogging. Check if the gutter has not endured any damage in terms of cracks or debris formations. Repair the gutter as soon as you spot the trouble. |
| #3 – You have a bushy plantations around the peripheries of the basement area due to which the water clogs and moisture seeps in. | This does not require much of repair work; what is required is your attention to solve the trouble and in the first place, restricting it from occurring again. Ensure that the plantations that exist around the basement area, are crew cut. If the situation has long been neglected, digging through the affected wall of the basement succumbs to be the only choice. |
| #4 – Windows at the basement walls have become damp and there are noticeable cracks forming around the window frames. | The problem may be with the frame itself. You need to have frames that are made of thick metal which protect the window from developing cracks. When the metal frames are being installed, a thick layer of gravel must be applied to cease water from permeating inside the window, thereby making it water tight. |
| #5 – Faulty plumbing is a major cause of concern, due to which the water seeps through and moisture persists in the basement. | Call the plumber as soon as you spot the problem. Make arrangements to patch up any cracks that have made themselves visible. A waterproofing solution is added to the basement with the help of a pipe. The solution stays there for a day. This solution cleans the drainage pipes and blocks the veins of the wall through which water is having its way out. |
| #6 – The lawns or pavements have a misleading rather inverted slope, due to which the water clogs and forms a puddle near the basement especially during monsoons. | Appoint a professional to make amends, so that the slope is inclined away from the basement. You may also dig a ditch or a virtual drainage where the water meets a ‘break’ and dashes into the ditch that is created. Allotting basement flooring options, such as, drainage tiles may also be recruited to do the job of breaking the water force and thus not letting water enter the basement premises |
With these solutions to amend the condition in question, you would know how to deal with basement problems. Damp, and musty basement will now be a thing of the past.