There are two types of homeowners. One who enjoys a rainy day because they know that their grass and flowers need the moisture. The other group dreads rainy weather because they know that their basements will leak.

 If you are in the second category of Kansas City homeowners, turn to JLB Foundation and Basement Waterproofing. We will help you learn to appreciate rainy days again.

 Before we attempt to offer solutions to your wet basement problem, we will “read” your basement to determine the source of the leak. From there, we will work to find the reason for the problem. These two steps are essential when you are in the basement waterproofing business, and we take our jobs seriously. 

Here are three typical ways that water gets into basements:

• Water may be getting into your basement through cracks in the walls or floor. 
• Water may be seeping in at the joint where the poured concrete floor meets the wall.
• Water may be getting into your basement through cracks in the mortar joints of block or masonry foundation walls. 

 

While finding the source of the water is the first step, the second (and more difficult step) is determining the reason that the water is leaking into the space.

Reasons water is coming into your basement: 

Hydrostatic pressure 

During wet weather, rising groundwater pushes against your foundation. The water ends up seeping through the cracks and openings of the concrete that aren’t problems during dry weather. The hydrostatic pressure from the groundwater may also cause additional cracks to form.

Leaky basement windows 

The problem may be caused by a leaky basement window or a clogged window well. 

Clogged gutters 

If your gutters are clogged, the water has no place to go other than over the top of the gutter wall. At that point, the water lands at the foundation of your home. The water then finds its way into your basement through small cracks.

Short downspouts 

Downspouts and sump pump drains should extend at least 10 feet from the house to ensure runoff is discharged far enough away from the foundation. Sump pump malfunctions often cause problems as well.  

Landscape slope 

The soil next to your house should slope away from the foundation. If it doesn’t, your foundation may suffer. 

There may be other causes of water ending up in your basement. Roof leaks, burst pipes, and broken hoses may cause you to have a bad day. It’s also common for people in our industry to see homes with an incorrectly installed French drain system that caused more harm than good. 

Once we have determined the source and the reason behind your wet basement, you can depend on JLB Foundation and Basement Waterproofing to fix your problem. We will start with the most cost-effective solution to stop the leaking. You can rest assured that our solution won’t be a temporary fix. If you follow our advice and maintain your systems, you will learn to enjoy an occasional rainy day again. 

Give us a call at 816-656-6835.