Wet Basement Blues

The one headache that will make every homeowner shake in their boots is when they either find themselves ankle deep in water or, their basement is constantly leaking it in through possibly the walls, floor or, cracks in the foundation.

This can definitely escalate into an expensive problem especially if you have turned that once unoccupied area into a finished and furnished living space. We can't stop the rain from falling and the snow from melting, however, before you call in a contractor and get hit with a repair bill to make your head spin, it's best to try and determine how severe the leakage might be. More than likely it will prove a chore you can take care of yourself at a price you can well afford.

The key is to determine which of the three major problems you have: condensation, runoff, or subsurface seepage. Condensation is sweating and caused when moist, warm air hits a cool foundation. Take foil and place over/around a damp spot. If moisture droplets appear on the outside the next day, moisture is condensing from the air. Installing a dehumidifier ($150 - $300 depending on output) can correct the problem. When rain/snow runoff isn't routed away from the house, hydrostatic pressure forces it through gaps and cracks in the walls and footings. You can seal cracks yourself and add gutters to alleviate the bulk of the runoff. Subsurface seepage is basically contending with a high water table which means you will probably need to install a sump pump, and that will require a professional.

For more how to instructions you can check out the following link:

http://www.thisoldhouse.c...article/0,,220912,00.html