How to Fix Your Leaky Basement

What causes your basement to leak?  Backfill saturation.  Backfill is what the dirt just outside your basement walls is called.  When that soil gets saturated with water, it puts hydrostatic pressure on the basement walls, joints between the footings and walls, and the floor/wall joint.  Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure from the weight of the water at rest, and it is unavoidable.

When such a large amount of pressure is put on the basement walls, water will leak in—no matter what foundation type you have.  If you have hollow block walls, water will leak into the walls and then out through the walls and into the basement.  If you have a stone foundation, the water will leak through the joints between the stones and into the basement at various elevations.  Even your basement floor can leak if the water finds its way from the backfill soil to the dirt under your basement floor.

So how can you fix this problem?  Some people think that you can fix it outside, and while it’s possible, it’s not practical, and it’s extremely expensive and messy.  But there are things that should be done outside to help prevent any problems including keeping your gutters clean, extending downspouts, and ensuring that the ground pitches away from the home if possible.  Doing these things does make a difference, but doesn’t solve the problem completely.

The best solution is to install an interior perimeter drainage system such as WaterGuard.  It catches water form the walls and floor and drains it away to a sump.  WaterGuard is specifically designed for basement waterproofing and sits on top of the footing rather than beside it, so it doesn’t clog.  It’s also important to install a sump pump to carry the water out and away from the home.

The TripleSafe offered by Woods Basement Systems is the most reliable sump pump in the world.  It has three pumps, one of which is battery-operated in case the power goes out, as well as a WaterWatch alarm system to alert you when the water rises too high (before any damages can occur).  Together, WaterGuard and the TripleSafe will keep your leaky basement permanently dry.