Dealing with Basement Moisture in Philadelphia
Basement moisture is a common problem that can wreak havoc on your home. Learn more about it and how you can stop it in its tracks.
Walking down to your basement, does the environment seem to change, like you’re stepping into another world?
You leave your comfortable and clean living area and enter a damp, clammy, and unpleasant space, like what is pictured here.
Homeowners in Philadelphia like you are no strangers to this experience. While these are common conditions for basements, they are not healthy or safe for your home or family.
What’s behind these damp basement problems? How do you know your basement has a problem? Why should you get your basement fixed sooner rather than later?
In this article, you’ll find the answers to basement moisture.
How Water Gets in Your Basement
Water is a powerful element, and it is the source of your basement moisture issues.
Let’s take a look at different ways water can get into your basement to wreak havoc on the space.
Plumbing Leaks
Your basement hides the plumbing pipes that serve the rest of your house. But sometimes these pipes can leak, burst, and rust with time, or they can freeze when exposed to cold temperatures.
When there’s a problem with these pipes, water can easily leak out and flood your basement, leading to other damage.
Faulty Appliances
Your basement may also be home to water-using appliances like sinks, washers, water heaters, and sump pumps.
Just as with plumbing pipes, water can leak out of these items if they are old or damaged. If not properly drained, this water can saturate anything stored in your basement.
Windows and Window Wells
If your basement has windows, water from rain or snowmelt can collect near them and leak inside.
If these windows also have window wells outside them, these wells can fill with water that seeps into your basement.
Wall Cracks
Your basement walls can form various cracks like the ones pictured here due to hydrostatic pressure.
Philadelphia usually receives an average of 60 inches of precipitation annually. When water saturates the area’s clay soil, it expands. When the soil dries out, it shrinks.
This expansion and contraction brought on by water and the lack thereof exerts hydrostatic pressure on your basement walls. When this pressure becomes too much for the walls, they move inward, crack, and allow water to leak inside.
Floor Cracks
The same thing can happen to your basement’s concrete slab floors.
Additionally, clay soil is subject to settlement. When the soil sinks into the ground, your foundation footing seeks stability and moves down with the soil. This throws the footings and foundation out of alignment, along with your concrete slab floor.
The floor can then settle, bulge, crack, and leak.
Signs You Have Water in Your Basement
If there is water or moisture in your basement, you’ll notice some of the following signs:
- Puddles on the floor
- Flooding
- Wet or damp walls
- Efflorescence
- Mold
- Musty odors
- Condensation
- Elevated humidity
The Dangers of Ignoring a Damp Basement
Many people think a damp, musty space simply comes with the territory of owning a house with a basement.
While this is common, it should not be a normal condition in your home.
The longer moisture and dampness continue in your basement, the riskier it becomes to your home and family because of the following:
- Mold growth
- Unhealthy air
- Structural instability
- Water-damaged belongings
The moment you notice something is wrong with your basement or when you see even the tiniest trickle of water, it’s important to contact your local basement waterproofing professionals.
Make Informed Decisions About Handling Basement Moisture Problems
A damp basement is not uncommon in Philadelphia, but it has significant negative impacts on your home – from the air you breathe to the floors you walk on.
The best thing you can do is keep an eye out for the typical symptoms we discussed here and reach out to basement waterproofing experts for assistance.
They will complete a thorough assessment of your home and basement, pinpoint the problems, diagnose their causes, and provide you with customized repair solutions that meet your home’s unique needs.
For more than 45 years, Groundworks — Philadelphia has helped homeowners in Philadelphia and surrounding areas just like you to waterproof their basements and create safer homes. We’re excited to help you too!
Simply call us or fill out our online scheduling form to book your free inspection and repair estimate.
Basement Moisture
FAQs
Professionally installed waterproofing solutions like interior drains and a sump pump will address the presence of water in your basement, but not necessarily the humidity levels.
You can achieve healthy humidity levels (around 50-55%) with an energy-efficient dehumidifier. Big box store units can only handle so much, but professionally engineered and installed air systems control the humidity as well as clean and filter the air, reducing odors.
Many homeowners believe dampness on basement walls is normal simply because it’s a basement. While this is common because many basements are below grade, it does not constitute healthy or normal living conditions.
Seeking professional assistance with any water on your basement floor is always the way to go.
However, there are things you can do in the meantime before you meet with one of these experts. These include:
- Using a Shop-Vac
- Pushing water into your sump pump
- Adding extensions onto downspouts
Be aware that these are only temporary solutions to immediately address water in your basement.
Call Groundworks for a Free Estimate!
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