Home Improvement : Coping With Wet Basement

With the recent heavy rainstorms, many Southland homeowners have found their basement and foundation areas awash with runoff water.

As the soil under and adjacent to a home gets saturated by rainwater, the concrete walls that form the home’s basement and foundation are subjected to water under pressure.

If the mastic or sealant that was applied to the soil side of the concrete during construction is cracked or deteriorated, this pressurized water can penetrate the pores of solid concrete.

If the concrete is old or cracked, enough ground water can seep through to flood the basement or any other portion of a home that is lower than the outside grade level.

If you are experiencing this problem in your home, the ultimate remedy may be to have a contractor excavate the foundation or basement walls and reseal the concrete with mastic. The “Waterproofing” or “Water Damage” headings in the Yellow Pages will yield names of tradespeople who specialize in this.

Before hiring a specialist, however, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the problem yourself by taking these steps:

1--Test outside area drains with a hose. Correct any blockages that could allow water to back up near the foundation.

2--If you do not have rain gutters on your house, consider installing them to help reduce the amount of water dumped near the foundation.

3--If you have gutters, make sure they, too, are running freely. Gutters should be cleaned monthly during the rainy season.

4--Place concrete splash blocks under gutter downspout outlets to divert water from the foundation. Get these at building suppliers.

5--Seal any cracks between concrete patios or walkways and the foundation with silicone caulk to keep water out. Also seal any holes or cracks in the stucco or siding of the house.

6--Build up any “puddling” areas of soil around the house so that the slope is away from the building.

7--As a generally cheaper alternative to excavating and sealing basement walls, consider installing an automatic sump pump in a well in the basement floor to keep water from accumulating. Consult a plumber on this method.