Whether your basement is finished or unfinished, any sort of water intrusion should not be met with open, inviting arms. In a finished basement, such intrusion can lead to water damage of structural materials like drywall and carpeting, not to mention personal items. It can also lead to subsequent mold growth, which can take a toll on your family’s health. While the source of water intrusion can be difficult to detect in finished basements, in unfinished basements, it’s typically much easier to spot and usually much easier to repair, as any potential structural removal and reconstruction typically isn’t necessary. In either case though, water in the basement isn’t a good thing.
Whatever the case, if you have a leak, it’s important to seek a solution – both for your property and your family’s sake. Here’s a look at the steps to take for how to do it:
- Pinpoint the source: As we mentioned, the source of entry can be challenging to detect in a finished basement, which is why it may be helpful to contact the basement leak repair Lombard professionals to help. Make sure that the source of water isn’t a leaking or malfunctioning appliance (i.e. hot water tank, humidifier, washing machine) and try to gauge whether it’s coming in through a wall or up through the floor.
- Analyze the exterior: Is water entering because of a down slope on the exterior foundation? Are the gutters doing their jobs properly? Sometimes, the fix for water entry is as simple as adjusting the slope of the yard so that the ground moves water runoff away from the property if it’s not otherwise doing so. Installing gutter extenders on your downspouts can also help disperse rain water away from your property. Furthermore, make sure the gutters are free of debris so that rain water is draining properly and not spilling over them.
- Find a solution: Often times, simply doing some exterior yard work and land grading won’t be enough to resolve a leaky basement. In fact, most home inspectors say that they’ve never met a basement that hasn’t leaked in the past or wasn’t about to leak in the future, which is why basement waterproofing is so essential to keeping your property dry and your home’s foundation in good order. Failure to address a leaky basement is only likely to cost you more money in the long run, as continuous water intrusion may lead to appliance replacement, foundation damage and even the need for mold removal and remediation services.
At ULB-DRY Waterproofing, we pride ourselves on being your basement leak repair experts and on offering a variety of solutions, such as drain tile systems, interior and exterior crack repair services, and more to help keep your basement dry and your property and home safe. Don’t put off a leaky basement, as what may be a small problem today could be a much larger, more expensive problem in the future.
Contact us today for more information.