What percentage of basements leak?

The American Society of Home Inspectors has some pretty surprising statistics about wet basements: Most new homes will develop a leak somewhere in the basement within 10 to 15 years of being built. Over 60 percent of basements in existing homes have a moisture problem.

Is it OK to have a wet basement?

There are many dangers of wet basements such as deteriorating the overall structure and foundation of your home, contributing to hazardous mold growth, damaging your furniture and personal belongings and other unpleasant issues. These issues can ultimately affect air quality and your health.

Is water in the basement a big deal?

Allowing water to remain present in the basement can increase the level of humidity in the entire home, causing unpleasant conditions and making HVAC systems run longer. More importantly, water in the basement can be a catalyst for the growth of mold, which can create serious health problems for the home's residents.

Do basements leak?

Most basements leak because there is--are either vertical-step or horizontal cracks on the outside of basement walls through which water enters and gets on your floor. Water/moisture will also enter the wall through and around where gas lines--electric enter the wall below ground.

Is a leaky basement a deal breaker?

To be clear, a damp basement isn't an automatic deal breaker. Cardone says it's possible to cure some basement problems without forking over a lot of cash. For instance, most of the time the moisture comes from rainwater that's entering the basement because it's not being channeled away from the house.

3 Ways Water Can Enter Your Basement

Should you buy a house with a basement?

A house with a finished basement will sell for a higher price than a comparable home with an unfinished basement. If most homes for sale in the area have finished basements, the seller of a property with an unfinished basement may even be willing to accept less than the asking price.

Why does my basement leak when it rains?

Causes of basement leaks

During periods of heavy or persistent rain, the soil can become saturated, creating hydrostatic pressure (or water pressure) that can push moisture and water through your basement walls and floor. The looser soil around your foundation tends to absorb more water.

Do all basements leak water?

Unfortunately, water in the basement is extremely common. From seeping in through foundation walls to coming up through the floor, there are several ways for water to enter your basement. We look at the four signs of water in the basement as well as explain how water leaks into your basement.

Can water come up through concrete basement floor?

YES, water around your foundation can come up through the concrete floor and can leave any material on its way soggy and damaged.

Can water come through concrete floor?

Water can seep through concrete through an imbalance of relative humidity. The direction moisture moves is determined by the humidity in the concrete and air, so if the concrete has higher relative humidity than the surrounding air, it will release moisture into the air.

Is a little water in basement normal?

While some amount of moisture is normal, there is a point in which it becomes dangerous, action should be taken. When you start to notice water stains along the floor or walls or a mildew smell, it is time to worry about a wet basement.

How do I keep my basement dry?

Can you fix a leaky basement from the inside?

Most basement leak repairs, regardless of whether they are performed on brick, cement block, or concrete foundations, can be performed from the inside or the outside of the home. If you have a poured concrete foundation, both interior and exterior waterproofing repairs can be effective in preventing a wet basement.

How do I stop groundwater coming into my basement?

Will installing a sump pump keep basement dry?

Sump Pumps Keep Your Basement Dry

Having a working sump pump is one of the best ways to ensure that your basement stays dry and you avoid the need for flooded basement clean-up.

Why does my basement only leak in the winter?

Basements Radiate Heat, Melting the Snow

As the snow melts around your foundation, moisture will build up between the frozen ground and your basement. The moisture doesn't have anywhere to go so it enters your basement through cracks.

How often do basements leak?

Most new homes will develop a leak somewhere in the basement within 10 to 15 years of being built. Over 60 percent of basements in existing homes have a moisture problem. Around 38 percent of basements with moisture problems develop mold and fungus growth.

Can a damp basement affect upstairs?

Most damage in the basement or crawl space itself is obvious, such as mold, rot, wet insulation, wet drywall, and the list goes on. But humidity in the basement or crawl space affects the upstairs too.

How do I know if my basement is leaking?

How do I stop my basement from flooding in heavy rain?

The most effective way to keep rainwater out of your basement is to install an interior drainage system. A proven solution for keeping the basement dry, a good waterproofing system minimizes hydrostatic pressure. An interior drain tile connects to a sump pump.

Is it normal to have water in basement after heavy rain?

Inspect Your Basement Walls and Floors for Cracks

A common cause of water in the basement after rain is due to a cracking foundation wall. Like a cup with a hole serves as useless for holding liquids, your foundation is useless for keeping water out of your basement if they're cracked.

Why do so many houses have unfinished basements?

New homeowners have their financial limits when it comes to adding any “nice-to-haves”. This may be a reason why basements are often left unfinished. Yet homebuyers have many reasons to extend that extra money to finish this often-neglected part of the home.

Why do people want a basement?

Extra Storage

If you build it, they will come. Americans love stuff and it seems as if whatever amount of storage we have quickly fills up. Basements are a great place to build in some extra storage space, cabinets or shelving to house and organize it all.

Are unfinished basements worth it?

Unfinished basements usually make fine storage space. Unfinished basements are often a good location for laundry facilities. An unfinished basement usually needs less cleaning and overall maintenance, as it is not considered "living space."

Should I waterproof my basement from the inside or outside?

Combining Interior And Exterior Waterproofing

Waterproofing the outside of your foundation is the best way to shore up your basement. Interior waterproofing can prevent water damage from getting worse, but having the repairs done on the outside fixes the weaknesses where the start.