If you have ever had a leaky basement, you know what a mess it can make. Everything leaks touch is ruined.

There are various things that can cause your basement to leak, but cleaning up the mess is never pleasant. There are many reasons a basement can develop leaks, and the ability to avoid most of them starts with a waterproofing system from B-Dry dealers.

Blocked or Clogged Drain
Basement drains, such as footing or French drains, can become clogged over time from dirt and debris. Rain, muddy water, leaves and other mysterious things going out of the drain often back up. That, in turn, forces water and debris back into the basement. When the drain gets blocked, water builds up below the ground and pressure forces the water, sediment and debris up through any cracks or seams in the floor. This is why you notice standing water first in the lowest areas of the basement floor.

Clay Bowl Effect
The soil under your house is usually somewhat porous. If your foundation is in a path where water flows when it rains, the water will build up against your foundation. In time, as the house settles, the soil is even more compressed and sinks lower in the ground. Water runs downhill and pools up even more around your foundation. It’s what’s known as the clay bowl effect.

Floor and Wall Leaks
Foundations and basement walls are typically made of concrete or block walls. Both types of walls can develop cracks over time and leak. Concrete walls can take up to 10 years to settle and finish any shrinking process. As shrinking happens, concrete walls typically develop cracks between the floor and walls. Block walls are hollow inside and the blocks are held together with mortar. Like concrete walls, block walls can develop cracks between the floor and walls, but can also develop cracks in the binding mortar.

Hydrostatic Pressure
If water builds up under the house, it creates a lot of pressure that can push water into the basement through joints or cracks. The pressure exerted on the walls can also push water vapor through the concrete or block. You typically notice this by a suddenly humid or damp basement.

You might be able to clean up your basement, but for the long-term solution, you will need outside experts.