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4 Unexpected Circumstances That Cause Basement Leaks

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4 Unexpected Circumstances That Cause Basement Leaks
4 Unexpected Circumstances That Cause Basement Leaks

If you have basement water leaks, it is time to check your foundation. There might be a number of common cracks, holes, or gaps that can lead to water infiltration and structural instability. While repairing foundation leaks might be necessary, there are additional steps you can take to ensure this never happens again.

  1. Plants – If you have trees or garden plants closer than two feet from the foundation of your home, you put your foundation at risk of having more water directed there. Leaks can occur either because plants are attracting too much water or because their roots are expanding outward, putting pressure on the foundation.
  2. Gutters – If you have clogged gutters on your roof and it rains, the water will overflow. This cascade of water and gutter gunk will land right at the base of your house, gathering in a pool next to the foundation. When there’s a lot of standing water next to a foundation, the water will find its way in. However small your foundation cracks might be, water will detect them. If enough water flows into your basement, these cracks could erode and become wider.
  3. Weather – Of course the weather dictates basement leaks, but it does so in more than one way. A big rain event followed by a rapid freeze could lead to water entering the cracks in your foundation at first, then freeze and expand. This will make the cracks in your foundation even bigger, leading to massive leak susceptibility when the ice melts.
  4. Slope – All homes are built on a high point on the property. This allows rain to flow naturally down and away from the foundation of your home. If you have waterproofed your basement fully, but still experience leaks, you might want to check out the slope of the land leading up to your house.
If your basement leaks when it rains, it can be frustrating and cause untold amounts of damage. In addition to traditional basement waterproofing services, pay attention to these factors to keep your foundation intact and your basement dry.

WRITTEN BY

Austin Werner

Austin Werner is the Owner of The Real Seal LLC, a basement waterproofing and foundation repair company. Austin believes that having a highly trained and happy team is the key to success. This is reflected through hundreds of 5 star customer reviews his company has received online.

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