The words “wet basement” are all too-familiar to many homeowners. It has been said that more than 98% of all houses have had or will have basement leakage at some point. I can’t say enough that poor surface drainage is one of the main causes of basement leaks.
The ground should slope away from the house at a rate of one inch per foot for at least the first six feet. The evestroughing and downspout systems must also perform properly. If a downspout is ever suspected of being disconnected, broken or clogged below ground level, they should be redirected to discharge above grade at least six feet away from the house. Evestroughs should be kept clear of debris.
In the majority of cases; basement leakage can be controlled relatively inexpensively however, the presence of foundation cracks, damaged perimeter drainage tiles and a high water table or underground streams may call for more extreme corrective measures.
Sealing foundation cracks can be performed in several ways with the cost of repairs varying pending the approach: from inside or outside of the house. Excavating, damp-proofing and installing drainage tiles should be used as a last resort since it is a very expensive option; $8,000 to $15,000. An alternative is an interior drainage system at one-third to one-quarter the cost of exterior work. Where underground streams and/or a high water table are present, sump pumps are usually required.
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