You Found Water in your Basement…Now What?

Your home’s basement may serve many purposes. It may be your man cave, your game room, a family gathering spot, or just a place to store your holiday decorations. Whatever you may use your basement for, one thing’s for sure: you don’t want to have any water issues down there. A wet basement can be a huge problem if not dealt with quickly, but there are ways to ensure your basement stays dry and comfortable this season.

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Where to Check for Basement Water

It may be obvious that you have water issues in your basement if you can observe standing or pooling water, but sometimes a moisture issue isn’t as apparent at first glance. Here are signs to look for if you’re unsure if you have a water problem in your basement:

1. Mold Growth
2. Musty Odors
3. Cracks
4. Deteriorating Materials
5. Stains and Discoloration
6. Sinking Floors

If you observe any of these issues, it’s likely that you have a problem with water getting into your basement, and there are several reasons why that may be occurring.

Common Causes of Basement Flooding

Water can show up in your basement for a variety of reasons, but the most common causes of flooding or moisture are:

• Broken or clogged gutters or downspouts
• Cracks in walls or foundations
• Improper grading
• Surface water flooding
• Sanitary sewer backups
• Broken water heaters or water lines
• Defective window wells

If you’ve determined that you have a water issue, a professional can help you determine the exact cause of your problem, but there are a few steps you can take immediately to address your moisture concerns.

What to Do if you Find Water

The ways to address a basement water issue can vary, depending on the severity of your problem.

• If you have standing water in your basement deeper than 2 inches, or if the water is submerging an appliance, it is likely not safe to enter the area, and a professional will be needed to pump out the water as soon as possible.
• If water is still actively coming into your basement area and it is safe to do so, try to determine the source of the water. Turn off the source if water is coming from a leak in an appliance or water heater, or try to cover or patch an area where water may be entering through the exterior of a home.
• A submersible pump or wet/dry vac may be helpful in eliminating standing water, once all appliances or electrical equipment have been removed from the location and the area is safe to enter.

While the measures above may briefly help address your water concerns, they aren't permanent fixes for what will likely be a recurring problem in your basement if the issue isn’t remedied properly by a basement waterproofing specialist.

The Professional Process for Eliminating Basement Water

Whether you have a flooding problem, or just suspect moisture from telltale signs in your basement, the professionals at Thomson Brothers offer a variety of solutions to keep your basement dry.

The process used for water remediation depends on your particular issues or concerns, but the video below helps explain more about some of the services Thomson Brothers provides.

Get an estimate on what it will take to keep your basement dry this season and beyond.

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