A new house is a symbol of hope and a new beginning for every soul. Yet, with owning a home comes the inevitable hurdles that must be overcome. In this piece, we’ll delve into why water finds its way into your basement and ways to remedy it.
Alas, water can creep into a new construction basement due to insufficient waterproofing, incorrectly graded surrounding land, and construction practices that invite disaster, like pouring concrete during a torrential downpour or backfilling before foundation walls are adequately cured. Even faulty plumbing fixtures or blocked gutters can bring the deluge indoors.
But don’t worry, for we’ll navigate through these treacherous waters and hopefully guide you to the solutions that will keep your basement dry and free of unwanted surprises. Stay with us as we explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and provide the answers to all your questions.
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Why do you find water in the basement during and after new construction?
We’ll walk through the four common causes of finding water in your basement and fixes for these issues.
Let’s begin!
Reason 1: Water Leak inside the Wall
A common reason for finding water in your basement is a water leak inside the house.
it’s important to note that water can come from sources other than the exterior. Leaking pipes or plumbing fixtures can cause water to accumulate in the basement, so it’s important to rule out these possibilities before assuming that the water is coming from outside. If left unchecked, this leaking can cause efflorescence in the basement.
Solution – Fix the leak in the wall
To address the leak problem, it’s crucial to identify the precise spot of the damage and take steps to fix the cause of the leak. There are two possible solutions available: completely replace the water pipe or use an epoxy putty treatment. It’s important to carefully evaluate both options before making a final choice. If you decide to replace the water pipe, you may want to consider purchasing from kpipe.co.uk. It is a one-stop shop for all your drainage, ducting, and pipe supplies.
In case you can’t find the origin of the leakage or if you lack confidence in your plumbing abilities, it’s advisable to seek assistance from a professional.
Reason 2: Improper Grading
Ineffective grading can cause several major issues like water hammer in the line, leaks, and in the worse cases, water sitting in your basement. If the ground slopes towards the foundation, water can collect and seep into the basement. Similarly, if there are low-lying areas nearby, water can pool and enter the basement through the walls or floor.
When water starts to accumulate around the foundation, it will inevitably enter your house from any nook or cranny it can find, leading to a big mess that you’ll need to clean up.
Solution – Aim the slope away from your home
To solve the grading issue you can build up any low spots with additional dirt in order to slope away from the house. This will direct any unwanted accumulating water away from the house.
Next time it rains, you want to ensure that the rainwater flows far away from your house. To achieve this, ensure that the dirt level is graded at approximately one inch per foot. Failure to do so may result in ineffective removal of unwanted water from your house.
Reason 3: Faulty Gutters or Downspouts
Another item responsible for water in your basement is gutters and downspouts. The job of the gutter is to ensure that rainwater is again directed away from the house. If the gutter is missing or not properly directing water away from the house, water can begin to pool at the base of the house and along the foundation.
This pooling water will eventually make its way into the basement. Moreover, if you have gutters and downspouts, you need to check on them regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.
If you find that your gutters are missing or damaged, you may want to consider gutter installation and replacement in Orlando, FL for a better flow of rainwater and to avoid water damage to your home’s foundation, walls, and roof.
Solution 1: Clean the gutters
If you find your gutters filled with debris, you’ll need to clear this in order for them to work properly. Cleaning gutters is an important home maintenance task that should be done regularly to prevent water damage to your home.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you clean your gutters yourself:
Step 1: Prepare the necessary tools and materials
To clean your gutters, you will need the following tools and materials:
- A sturdy ladder
- Gloves
- Gutter scoop or trowel
- Buckets or trash bags
- Garden hose
- Nozzle attachment for your hose
- Safety glasses or goggles
Step 2: Safety first
Before climbing the ladder, make sure that it is sturdy and in good condition. Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp debris and safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes. If your home has multiple stories, it may be best to hire a professional gutter cleaning service instead.
Step 3: Start at the downspout
Begin at the downspout of your gutter and work your way outwards. This will prevent any debris from clogging the downspout, which can cause water damage to your home’s foundation. Use a gutter scoop or trowel to remove any leaves, twigs, or other debris from the gutter.
Step 4: Dispose of debris
Place the debris in a bucket or trash bag for easy disposal. You can also throw the debris directly onto the ground, but make sure to clean it up afterward.
Step 5: Flush out the gutter
After removing the debris, use a garden hose with a nozzle attachment to flush out the gutter. Start at the far end and work your way towards the downspout. This will ensure that any remaining debris is washed away and the gutter is completely clean.
Step 6: Check the downspout
Check the downspout to make sure that it is clear of debris. If it is clogged, use a plumber’s snake or hose to dislodge the blockage.
Step 7: Repeat the process
Repeat the process for each section of your gutter until the entire system is clean.
Cleaning your gutters can be a time-consuming task, but it is essential for protecting your home from water damage. By following these simple steps, you can clean your gutters yourself and ensure that your home is protected from the elements.
Solution 2: Install Gutter Protection
If you’re like me and hate to clean your gutters (or want to avoid climbing up a ladder at all costs. Hey! Heights aren’t for everyone people!), I would highly recommend getting in touch with our friends at LeafFilter to see what they can do for you. They offer free consultation and they are able to install a steel mesh directly on your existing gutters which makes the process incredibly quick and simple and keeps all of that nasty debris from clogging your gutters (and eventually causing water damage).
Get a FREE Estimate on LeafFilter and End Gutter Cleaning Forever.
Reason 4: Faulty Construction Methods
While people might assume that letting the water run and overflow in the sink in your island is a common cause of basement flooding, that’s rarely the case (even though it made for an exciting scene in Home Alone). A possible reason for seeing water in the basement following new construction is faulty construction methods. For example, if the concrete is poured during rainy weather, the mixture can become diluted and less resistant to water. Additionally, if the foundation walls are not allowed to fully cure before backfilling, they can crack and allow water to enter.
Another common cause is inadequate waterproofing of the foundation walls or floor. If the foundation is not properly sealed or a drainage system is not installed, water can seep in through cracks or gaps in the walls or floor. Heavy rain or melting snow can also contribute to water infiltration.
Solution – Repair the crack
If foundation walls are not allowed to fully cure before backfilling, they can crack and allow water to enter. To fix this issue, the cracked areas of the foundation should be cleaned and repaired using hydraulic cement or other waterproofing material. It’s important to ensure that the repair material is compatible with the original concrete to prevent further damage.
To prevent these issues from occurring in the first place, it’s best to avoid pouring concrete during rainy weather and to ensure that the foundation walls are fully cured before backfilling. Additionally, it’s important to use a properly mixed and well-proportioned concrete mixture and to properly seal and waterproof the foundation walls to prevent water infiltration. Regular inspections of the foundation and basement can also help to identify any issues early on and prevent further damage.
And once it does dry up. You’re all set. Additionally, you can use a dehumidifier to keep your basement dry.
But if you can’t get one, there are still some options in order to keep your basement dry without a dehumidifier.
FAQs
Question: Can water come up through the concrete basement floor?
Answer: Yes, water can crawl through the concrete basement floor and make everything soggy and wet. So, don’t rule out the possibility of a faulty water pump only because it is covered by concrete.
Question: Does homeowner insurance cover water in the basement?
Answer: Well, typically your homeowner insurance will cover the damage created by the water in the basement. However, you need to read the agreement thoroughly. That’s because the agreement does not directly state “insurance money for water damaged”. It is usually termed a bit differently. So, keep an eye out, mate.
Question: How long does it take for a completely flooded basement to dry out?
Answer: Since the basement does not have any access to the sun it takes a long time to dry up completely. With that being said, it can take from 12 hours to an entire week for the water to completely disappear.
Question: Who do you call when you have water in your basement?
Answer: A plumber will be your superhero when your basement is flooded with water. You see, the majority of the time you find water in your basement due to a leak in the water pipes. So, the right man to deal with this is a plumber.
To sum up
Well, that was all the causes and solutions for dealing with water in the basement following new construction. We hope this guide helped you pinpoint your problem and hopefully, if you find yourself with water in the basement in the future, you can find the main culprit and you know how you can find a solution with our help.
Best of luck!