Having a basement in the home is wonderful, but only if it is adequately waterproofed. Many homeowners use their basements for storage, equipment, or even providing additional living space for growing families. When they begin to leak, possessions can become water damaged and, over time, even the foundation can be affected. Addressing the issue as quickly as possible by calling in professional Basement Repair Services in Toledo can help to avoid incurring further, more costly, damages.
Most basement leaks are the result of groundwater entering through cracks in the floors, walls or, even more commonly, through the wall joints. When the soil surrounding the basement becomes inundated with moisture, it can place extra pressure on the walls, causing water to seep in or cracks to form. This moisture saturation may be the fault of a false water table due to inadequate foundation backfill or could simply be an unpleasant aftereffect of hydrostatic pressure due to unusual floods. Either way, it must be addressed to avoid further damage.
Foundation backfill refers to the soil that is used to fill in gaps around the foundation after the basement is laid. Often this soil is looser, and more prone to water absorption, than the surrounding earth. This has the unfortunate effect of creating a false water table, which will be higher than the natural water table in the area. Thus even homes that would otherwise sit well above any standing ground water may still experience basement leaks.
Excessive hydrostatic pressure can build up in the soil surrounding the foundation either as a result of inadequate foundation backfill or acute inclement weather conditions. When enough water pressure builds up in the surrounding soil, it will eventually find its way into the basement through existing gaps, cracks, or by seeping through the concrete, necessitating the use of Basement Repair Services in Toledo.
Possible solutions include the installation of exterior or interior french drains that run along the perimeter of the basement and collect the water either as it enters, or before it enters, allowing it to drain to a more convenient location. When these measures are not sufficient, sump pumps can also be used. Submersible pumps mechanically collect the water and remove it from the immediate area. Often, cracks and leaky joints must also be sealed to prevent further damage.
