What is Wet Basement? How can we avoid it?
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Komal Bhandakkar
Wet Basement:
Meaning:
Wet Basement simply means the accumulation of water caused by a range of issues which include flooding from landscaping or nearby property.
The integrity of the house’s Foundation will be affected due to the presence of continuous moisture which damages a basement.
The solution to the wet basement:
1) Restoring the Crown:
For restoring the Crown, the slope should be provided at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet in all directions.
2) Addition of more gut extensions:
We can add a plastic gutter extension or metal gutter extension whenever downspouts were dumped 5 feet away from the house.
3) landscape reshaping:
For landscape, reshaping create a wide and Shallow ditch so that water can redirect easily.
4) Gap Plugging:
The opening is plugged using hydraulic cement or polyurethane caulk.
5) Waterproofing the wall:
Use of French drain to relieve the hydrostatic pressure and exterior waterproofing to protect the foundation from a wet basement.
Thank you.
Neenu S K
A wet basement is formed because of the presence of moisture, molds, or efflorescence in the basement structure. The moisture can enter the basement either from an outside source or from inside sources.
The outside sources like improper drainage, flooding, or higher groundwater level can result in the penetration of moisture into the basement structure either through the foundation cracks or through the walls. The inside sources like humidity within the room, pipe leakage, etc would increase the moisture within the interior causing condensation of basement walls and floors.
Extreme cases of moisture and condensation in the basement structure can result in structural damage.
A wet basement can be prevented by keeping water in the surrounding move away from the structure. A proper drainage system, a floor drain, a good landscape grading can help attain this. The use of dehumidifiers, exhaust fans, correction of pipe leaks, etc can help to maintain basement moisture.
The presence of moisture due to various reasons is simply the meaning of the wet basement. In the area of the basement, efflorescence will occur. Efflorescence means the deposition of white powder on the surface due to the presence of alkalies.