Have you ever wondered where the water in your basements comes from? Let’s find out.
Your basement is the lowest level of your property. Therefore, it attracts and accumulates water. Hence, you should always be on the lookout for flooding in your basement. A wet basement serves as the breeding ground for mold and mildew, which affect the structure of your house and your health. But how does the water enter your basement in the first place?
In this article, we will talk about the causes of water accumulation in your basement.
Window Well Leakage
The leaks in your window wells have nothing to do with ground water pressure. The primary motive behind installing a window in your basement is to allow some light and air inside the basement. Unfortunately, during heavy rains, water tends to accumulate within the wells of these windows. The collection of water increases pressure, which can result in seepage through cracks and holes. The accumulation of water inside the window wells is one of the most common causes of basement flooding. In extreme cases, an increase in pressure can destroy the seal completely, which will result in bigger problems.
Water also enters through the gaps and cracks around the window.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Whether you like it or not, water will always be there in the ground. However, sometimes this water is deeper than you can think. The level below the saturated ground is known as the water table. The water table tends to vary from area to area. If you live near a river or a lake, the water table will be quite high. However, if you live near a desert, the water level will be lower.
After heavy rainfall, the water tends to get absorbed in the ground. After the saturation of the soil, its ability to absorb water goes down. This is when the water table starts rising. The rise of the water table results in the creation of hydrostatic pressure. The water needs an escape route, and when it has nowhere to go, it eventually ends up in the basement of your house.
Lateral Pressure
The soil that surrounds the foundation of your home also absorbs water. In normal conditions, this isn’t much of a threat, as the soil eventually drains. However, if the soil is loose, it tends to absorb more water, which can be problematic. The higher the absorption rate, the more the soil tends to expand. The expansion of soil increases the lateral pressure, which presses against the foundation of your home. When this pressure intensifies, it causes cracks in your basement, allowing water to enter.
These were three of the most common reasons why water ends up in your basement.
