If your basement is wet and humid, there is hope to solve the problem. Moisture or water in the basement comes from two sources. The main culprit is underground, the water from the outside always in the cellar. The second and less severe in the mold basement high humidity, and condensation of water vapor. Groundwater, the soil is slightly on the outside of the house found their way into the basement. The water can seep into the basement, although cracks and holescracks in foundation walls or slab in the basement. Water can also block or brick foundation through the porous walls give the majority of foundation walls of concrete blocks, natural pores and cracks so that water can infiltrate, but we did. Massive basement foundation walls are much better in the water line.
The main idea is to direct water away from exterior walls of the house. Make sure all downspouts discharge at least five meters fromexterior walls. Make sure that gutters on the home are free flowing and do not overflow. Overflowing gutters will pour water against the exterior walls of the home, and greatly contribute to basement water problems. Repair or replace any leaking gutters and downspouts to help keep the water away.
Make sure that the area around the entire perimeter of the home is sloped away from the exterior walls so that water will shed away from and not toward the foundation walls. Regarding the exterior is a very important step in keeping your basement dryer. Make sure you remove anything against the exterior walls that can trap water such as planting boxes, and wood tie walls these will always be a source of trapped water.
Plug and patch holes in the basement foundation walls. Holes and cracks can allow water to enter. Plugging holes and sealing cracks probably will not solve all your basement water issues but doing so in tandem with the other corrective measures should go along way in helping to keep water out of the basement. Try sealing the interior foundation walls using hydraulic cement. Make sure you apply the cement to bare masonry or else it will not be effective. These types of sealers need to be applied in a thick coating so don't try to stretch it put the sealer on thick. The idea is the sealer material will seal the small holes and cracks and help keep the water from seeping into the basement.
If basement water problems persist you may want to consider installing a basement drainage system. There are two types of effective drainage systems. One type is installed on the exterior against the foundation wall and the other is installed inside along the interior perimeter of the basement walls. If your home is already constructed the only real practical solution is the interior drainage system method. This method consists of perforated tubing that is installed below the basement floor slab along the interior perimeter that connects to a sump pump and sump pit. As water enters through the walls and as the water table rises the water will be directed to the sump pump and pumped out rater then enter the basement. You must make sure that the sump pump is discharging at least five feet from the exterior walls in order to avoid redirecting the water back against the exterior walls and then into the home.
Get a handle on excess humidity. When humid air comes in contact with cold surfaces it makes water vapor. This condensation will run down pipes and foundation walls leaving the basement damp and smelling of mold and mildew. Several remedies for this condition would be to install a dehumidifier, sealing your dryer vent pipe so that it does not leak hot moisture into the basement, installing a vent fan in any basement bathroom, and keeping windows closed during very humid summer weather. If you have a central air conditioner keep it on during very hot humid days so that it pulls condensation from the air. Install central air-conditioning in the basement if you do not already have the basement as part of the existing air conditioner register configuration.
Use caution when contracting with professional water proofing companies. Many times they will provide very expensive solutions to the problem when that majority of basement water issues can be corrected without having to take out a second mortgage. If you do decide to use a water proofing company, make sure you do your homework and check their record with the better business bureau.
