Do you have a finished basement showing signs of a water leak? The last things you want to see in your finished basement are small signs of a leak, such as a couple of wet spots on your carpet and/or water stains on the wall.
Signs of leakage are harder to spot in a rec-room compared to an unfinished basement. This is because any cracks in the floors and walls of unfinished rooms can usually be seen by the naked eye and any dampness and/or water is also easier to detect. It’s certainly harder to spot these things if the basement is finished with carpeting, drop ceilings, paneling or drywall etc. as the leaks can be occurring underneath or behind these finishing surfaces. In addition, if you do find evidence of a leak, the location of the water buildup could be quite a distance from the source of the leak.
If you have a finished basement that has been damaged, it’s important to bring in a quality contractor. Here in Mountain View, we searched online for the best renovation contractors in the Mountain View area and found a great one to work with.
How to find a basement water leak
A non-structural wall crack is the most typical cause of a poured-concrete basement leak. If you believe you have a leak the first thing you should be looking for is a crack in a wall. Make a note of where the water is located and then head outside to that section of your house’s foundation. Have a look above the ground to see if you can spot a crack in it. If the top of the foundation is hid under soil be sure to dig the dirt away. If there’s a crack in the foundation you should be able to spot it from outside of the home. Most cracks are usually narrow and vertical and less than 1/8 of an inch.
If you find a crack there’s a good chance there will be more than one. Keep looking to see if you can locate any more, but be aware that vertical form lines can often be molded into the concrete. These lines can be formed from the original wood used when the home’s foundation was originally poured. These lines are just superficial and aren’t cracks. If you’re certain your basement is leaking, but can’t find any evidence of cracks then you should seriously think about calling in a professional waterproofing company and have them inspect the situation.
Have a contractor investigate
A professional waterproofing contractor will know exactly where to look for the source of water and how to test for it. If the water is coming through a crack in the wall of your finished basement the good news is you don’t need to tear the drywall down to repair it. The cracks can be repaired on the exterior permanently and effectively with the use of sodium bentonite clay. A typical crack can be fixed quite quickly and without much of a disruption to your rec-room.
You can also effectively waterproof your basement with other types of exterior techniques such as exterior exterior tile and waterproofing membranes. These will help protect your home from several water sources and costly repairs. This is another job you may want to assign to a professional contracting company since they know precisely what they’re doing and how to complete it cost-effectively, quickly, and permanently. You can always try it on your own, but if you don’t do it properly it could result in greater water damage and more expensive repairs in the long run. In addition, most contractors will inspect your home free of charge and give you their professional advice.
If there is a crack and it has been repaired a contractor will give you advice on how to keep water away from the home’s foundation to prevent any further damage. This can often be done quickly and inexpensively by installing a drainage system, extending downspouts, and/or altering the landscaping grade around the home.
