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Causes and Cures
Written By: Wayne J. Falcone

Probably the most distressing experience a homeowner can have is a Wet Basement or Basement Water Penetration. It can be water on the floor, in the crawl space, seeping under the concrete slab or dampness on the walls. It should be assumed that all basements are vulnerable to water at one time or another.

The cause of the problem is normally hydrostatic pressure being exerted on the exterior of the foundation walls, to the detriment of the structure and foundation.

Note: Any basement that is built into the earth is susceptible to water penetration during periods of adverse weather.

Basements and crawl spaces with water penetration and dampness contribute to mildew problems in the house, cold floors, structural damage and even mold or rot in the attic.

Wet Basements

A basement has a serious and chronic water problem if it is so inundated over a substantial portion of a normal climatic year, that it is unusable for anything but utilitarian purposes. A basement is not "wet' when it has an occasional puddle or dampness, although even these conditions may effect the use of the area.

1. Standing water or dampness on floors.
2. Flaking paint and/or efflorescence on foundation walls.
3. Water stains or dampness on foundation walls.
4. Water stains and incipient rot in wood baseboards, sole plates, posts or stairs.
5. Staining or deterioration at base of sheet rock or wall paneling.
6. Heavy rust at the base of steel columns, around the perimeter of the fireplace, boiler or water heater.
7. Metal supports or any other metal surfaces near or in contact with the floor, such as steel shelving that are rusting.
8. White staining at the edges of floor tiles or water stains on carpeting.
9. Musty odor or mildew.
10. Sump pit or drain with visible standing water.
11. Evidence of attempts to water proof with wall coatings.
12. Water stains below water and sewer pipes that enter through basement walls.

Other Situations: Crawl Spaces and Slabs on Grade.

1. Slabs on grade should be at least 6 inches above the finished grade.
2. Earth floors will be moist rather than dusty or dry to the touch.
3. Extensive floor cracking and/or settlement might indicate "wash out" under the concrete slab.
4. If there is ducted heat under the concrete floor slab:
5. Water could collect in the ducts causing rusting of the ducts.
6. Standing water in the ducts could promote bacteria, mold and mildew growth.
7. Heat registers will be rusty.

The most common cause of water entering the basement is faulty surface grading.....................

To receive the complete Basement Water Penetration Manual, send an E-Mail to wayne@accurateinspection.com