Cambridge, Massachusetts homes that have a basement, as many do, can benefit greatly from the extra space that the basement provides. Basement spaces can be used for storage, utility, extra living spaces or, if the basement is big enough, rental spaces. However, all of these things can be negatively impacted when a home is dealing with a Leaky Basement in Cambridge MA.
It’s Not Always a Worst Case Scenario
There are many reasons for a leaky basement and not all of them are end of the world scenarios. There are situations where a leaky basement could involve excavating around the basement walls and either waterproofing the exterior of the walls or rebuilding the walls. However, most issues can be easily rectified with the services of a basement repair company without a great deal of hassle.
Failing Mortar Joints and Cracks
One of the most common areas were a basement will leak is from the mortar joints that connect bricks or concrete blocks. Sometimes, repairing the mortar joints is all that will be necessary to rectify the problem. Other times, cracks in the walls or floors can cause water to leak into the basement; if there are enough cracks, the leaking can be significant.
Window Wells and Sewer Lines
In some situations, a window well and areas where sewer pipes go through basement walls can cause a significant amount of basement leakage. In more extreme situations, water can come in over the top of the basement wall.
How These Issues are Addressed
Fixing these various issues doesn’t have to be complicated. Sealing mortar joints, filling in cracks, applying waterproof sealant to the wall and resealing areas where the basement walls meet the upper floors of the home or window wells can typically handle the situation quite effectively. Not only are these repairs easy, but they are typically quite affordable.
Leakage in the basement can be a small problem or it can be a significant one. That’s why, if you’re looking to use your basement more than you currently can because of the leaking problem, you’ll need to determine the scope of the leak. That can only be done with a professional service.
