Finding water in the basement of the home you’re planning to buy can be quite alarming. You certainly don’t want to move into a house with water problems in the basement. Water leakage in the basement can damage the foundation and the complete structure of the house as well. Slight moisture is also a wrong indication for your and your family’s health as well as moisture triggers growth of various chronic health diseases.
However, scary they may seem, water problems can be easily fixed and are not a thing to worry about. With advice and help of our NH home inspectors, such issues can be fixed for good. We identify the source of the water and suggest a suitable solution. But how much is a home inspection exactly? Not as expensive than a complete foundation repair.
Let’s have a look at the possible reasons through which water can enter your basement.
- Floor cracks – In case of heavy rains, the water-absorbing capacity of the soil beneath your basement becomes weak. Thus, the water is pushed upwards by the ground creating cracks in the floor.
- Wall cracks – The upward water push also tends to damage the walls of the basement and makes way for water. Sometimes the water remains trapped inside the walls for a long time but eventually comes out. It is advisable to keep a regular check on the condition of the basement floor and walls.
- Excess watering – Water sprinklers that direct water towards the foundation should be checked. Make sure to use water sprinklers away from the foundation area, and the backyard/front yard is not over watered.
- Pipe leakage – One of the most common ways of water to accumulate a place in the basement is leaking pipes or fittings. Check the nearby pipes in case of water accumulation in the basement/crawlspace.
- Gutter overflow – Gutter overflows are caused due to improper rainwater harvesting. During the monsoon, a lot of debris tend to enter the gutters, causing them to overflow and then accumulate water in the basement or crawlspace area.
