Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility. It also comes with a lot of frustration, especially if your home has a basement. Homes with basements in Mesquite, TX and the surrounding communities often experience water in the basements. Why? There are various causes, such as high water tables, cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls, broken pipes inside the home and more. You need to stop leaks before they wind up ruining the basement of your home. Here are some tips from the experienced team at Metroplex Leak & Line Locators that you can follow as a homeowner to prevent leaks in your basement.
Maintain the Exterior of the Home
One of the best ways to prevent leaks from entering and ruining your basement is to maintain the exterior of the home. Many homeowners don’t realize how important this task is, especially when they think that the foundation is there to do the work for them. The majority of basement leaks are traced back to a problem on the exterior of the home.
Take a look at the gutters of your home. Are they pointed away from the foundation? Do you have the gutters cleaned regularly? All gutters should face away from the foundation and should be cleaned out a couple times per year. Clogged gutters cause water to overflow and pool at the base of the foundation. This water can easily find its way into your basement via the tiniest of cracks in the wall. If necessary, purchase an extension for the gutters so they drain anywhere from four to five feet away from the foundation. You can also bury the gutters and have them drain at the street.
Examine the actual foundation of the home and the ground around it. Does the grade slope towards the home? If so, this can be the source of any water seeping into the basement. You will need to have top soil added to fix the slope so it is now moving away from the home at a rate of at least a one-quarter of an inch per foot.
Check for Cracks and Holes
If the basement is unfinished, you will easily be able to check for cracks and holes in the cement walls and floor. As mentioned earlier, the tiniest of cracks in the wall could cause water to enter the basement and pool on the floor. Check the walls and floor for any cracks of holes. If there are none present you can apply a waterproofing paint or cement coating to prevent them from developing in the future. If there are cracks or holes present, you will need to have them professionally repaired before applying any type of finish to the walls or floor.
Install or Repair a Sump Pump
A sump pump is a great tool to have in the basement of your home. Especially if your home has a history of water in the basement.. A sump pump will take any water in the basement and remove it using a pump and drain pipe that has been installed by a plumber. The pump will only activate when there’s enough water in the tank to activate the pump’s switch.
Is there already a sump pump installed in your basement? Do you still notice water pooling on the floor? If so, the sump pump likely needs to be repaired. It’s best to have a trusted plumber investigate the pump to find out exactly what is wrong with it. This will ensure that the pump is repaired properly and begins working efficiently again so it can keep your basement dry as a bone during the next storm.
Conduct Leak Detection
The first step in resolving a leak in your basement is to conduct leak detection. You need to find the source of the leak before doing anything in terms of repairs. Leak detection is best completed with the help of an experienced plumber, especially when there might be pipes involved or an appliance like a sump pump.
Call Metroplex Leak & Line Locators Today
Does your basement experience leaks when it rains? Does water leak into your basement from the exterior around the foundation? Either way, it’s best to have a licensed and trusted plumber visit your home to investigate the source of the leak.
