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A Wet Basement Guide: Causes, Effects, & Fixes

Few things can strike fear into homeowners’ hearts like a wet basement.

If your basement leaks, it won’t take long to cause serious damage, covering the floor and encouraging mold growth.

These are all health and safety hazards that affect your entire home.

So, why do you have a wet basement in the first place? What can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen again? We’ll answer these questions and more in this complete guide.

But here’s the key takeaway: while a wet basement is common, you can prevent it and protect your home with help from trusted local basement waterproofing experts like Baker’s Waterproofing.

5 Reasons Why You Have a Wet Basement

Your wet basement could be caused by many (interrelated) factors, including:

rainwater pooling around downspout

1. Excessive Precipitation

Pennsylvania’s heavy rain and snowmelt can oversaturate the soil. This leads to hydrostatic pressure buildup, which forces water through basement walls and floors.

a flooded yard can result in a wet basement

2. Soil Type

The type of soil under and around your home contributes to basement leaks. Clay soil, common throughout Pennsylvania, can quickly expand with water, multiplying hydrostatic pressure.

frozen water

3. Freeze-Thaw Cycles

The cycle of freezing and thawing of water that seeps into cracks can cause damage to foundations and create pathways for water to enter.

4. The Clay Bowl Effect

The clay bowl effect is a result of how your home was built. A hole larger than your basement is dug in the ground. After the foundation is built, the excavated soil is used to fill the hole.

However, this backfill soil is never as tightly compacted as the original undisturbed soil. This leads to increased water absorption after precipitation.

The saturated backfill soil forms a “clay bowl” around the home. This creates an artificial water table next to the basement.

5. Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure results from all these factors. It happens when water seeps into the ground surrounding the foundation and gradually accumulates.

As pressure builds, water seeks entry into the basement through porous concrete, block walls, cracks, and wall joints. Fluctuations in hydrostatic pressure cause movement.

When the pressure decreases and water dries out, the house may settle. This potentially creates lateral pressure and cracks, weakening walls and allowing water to leak inside.

How a Wet Basement Affects Your Home

A wet basement can lead to dangerous and costly problems, including:

Promptly addressing water in your basement is crucial to prevent these issues from arising or escalating further.

Basement Waterproofing: A Lasting Solution

Fixing your wet basement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right professional help, you can gain the dry, healthy basement and peace of mind you deserve.

Interior Basement Waterproofing

The secret to waterproofing basements starts from the inside. Here’s a look at how our basement waterproofing process works:

installing basement waterproofing solutions
  • Interior drains placed in the basement floor catch leaking water.
  • Water from the interior drains flows into a sump pump.
  • The sump pump pumps the water out of the basement and away from the home.
  • A special attachment on the exterior sump pump discharge line prevents frozen pipes and basement flooding.
  • A wall vapor barrier prevents further moisture intrusion.
  • A dehumidifier controls indoor humidity levels.

These interior basement waterproofing systems are designed to work together, creating the comprehensive solution and complete protection your basement deserves.

Exterior Drainage and Grading

Once interior basement waterproofing solutions are installed, you can implement exterior systems to prevent water from collecting near your home.

Effective exterior drainage systems are your first line of defense from our state’s frequent precipitation. Ensure your gutters and downspouts function properly and are free of clogs and damage with regular maintenance. Gutter professionals can help with this task if you are uncomfortable climbing a ladder to inspect and clean these systems; your safety comes first.

Likewise, landscapers can ensure your yard has a positive grade. This means it slopes down and away from your foundation, directing rainwater and downspout drainage away from your house.

Fix Your Wet Basement with Baker’s Waterproofing!

Baker's Waterproofing inspector meeting with a homeowner

At Baker’s Waterproofing, we provide proven solutions to fix any wet basement, regardless of the cause. Our team of experts will conduct a comprehensive inspection and recommend the best basement waterproofing solution tailored to your specific needs and budget.

Don’t allow a wet basement to compromise your home’s integrity or jeopardize your family’s well-being. Schedule a free inspection today to learn how we can resolve your basement moisture issues for good.

Wet Basement FAQs

A wet basement is a significant problem that can lead to mold growth, wood rot, decreased property value, and potential health risks for your family. It should never be ignored or considered a minor issue.

Absolutely. Basement waterproofing provides various benefits like structural protection, lower energy bills, and restored home value.  

The cost of basement waterproofing varies depending on the size of your basement, the extent of the work required, and the specific solutions needed. Baker’s Waterproofing will provide you with a detailed estimate for customized solutions during your free inspection.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.

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Baker's Waterproofing Service Areas

Our Locations

Central PA

3819 N Susquehanna Trail
Shamokin Dam, PA  17876

Harrisburg

922 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102

Hermitage

701 North Hermitage Rd, Suite 25,
Hermitage, PA 16148

Pittsburgh

5 Industrial Road, Building B
Washington, PA 15301

Wilkins Township

201 Penn Center Blvd Suite 400

Wilkins Township, PA 15235

York, PA

800 E King St, Suite 518
York, PA 17402