Why Do I Have A Wet Basement?

Determining and Fixing Your Wet Basement Problems

If you have a basement in your home, chances are that you’ve suffered from a wet basement problem at one point or another. In order for you to prevent any moisture issues in your home, you’ll need to better understand the root cause of the problem.

Two Main Causes Of Wet Basements

The first is a high water table, where the water underground naturally remains at a particular level and never goes away. The good news is that according to the National Association of Home Builders, a high water table only affects 5% people with wet basement problems.

The second possible cause of a wet basement is due to ground water or the result of rain and snow run off.

How To Determine If You Have A High Water Table

The best way to determine if you live in an area with a high water table is to call your local building inspector. They can provide free information about the water table depth in your area. Granted it might not be exact for your home, but it will at least give you a general idea if you are at risk. The building inspector will give you a number for the water table depth, generally in a measurement of feet.

Safe Basement from Water Table

If they tell you that the water table depth is 12 feet and your basement penetrates the ground at 8 feet, then your basement should not be impacted by the water table because the water level is 4 feet below your basement.

Unsafe Basement from Water Table

However if they tell you that the water table depth is 10 feet and your basement penetrates at 8 feet, then you will have a major problem because the water table is 2 feet above your basement floor.

If your wet basement is caused by a high water table, then water will be a reoccurring issue and you’ll need to install a series trenches and pipes to help drain the water. A sump pump will also help prevent potential flooding. You may need to contact a local plumber to help set up a proper drainage system. The good news is that building codes have improved over the past 30 years and homes basements are not permitted in areas with a high water table.

How To Determine If You Have Excess Ground Water

There is a 95 percent chance that your wet basement problem is caused by ground water. Basically this means that the structure of your home needs to be improved to guide rain and snow water away from your home.

First you’ll need to understand how water flows from your home. Unfortunately, the best way to research this is during a medium rain storm. You’ll have to stand outside and literally watch how the water comes off the roof, gutters, down the land around your house, and inside your basement to see if any water is coming through the walls or cracks.

Generally a wet basement from ground water is due to poor roofing and gutters, not enough slope in the ground around your home, and/or leaky basement walls. You’ll need to contact a local contractor to help with these issues to ensure they are fixed properly.

In all cases, it’s a good idea to install a back up sump pump in your basement in the event of rising water. You can find battery or electrically powered pumps that turn on automatically when water rises. Ask your local plumber about sump pumps as well to ensure full protection to your basement and home.