With temperatures rising and falling as we head into the rainy season; we can expect frequent wet weather. This weather can affect our homes and buildings in many ways; however, one prominent issue people see is the effects on your basement walls caused by wet weather. Going untreated can lead to serious implications for your home that will cost you loads of money compared to what you would pay to fix it. As always, it's every homeowner’s goal to avoid this. Let’s take a look at how you can identify wet weather damage and ways to avoid it.
Wet weather can cause water intrusion into your home without you even noticing. However, a sure sign of water intrusion caused by wet weather is water-damaged walls. This can be caused by many factors which are discussed further down. Identifying a water-damaged wall can be very obvious but can also go unnoticed. The most common features of a water-damaged basement wall include discoloration appearing in the form of streaks, mold, dark water ring marks, bubbling, and cracked paint.
Here are a few examples to help you identify if you believe your walls have water damage:
Some may wonder how wet weather can be a direct cause of damaging effects on your basement walls. There are many possible reasons for this. Let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons why your basement walls may be damaged by the wet weather.
Condensation can be a major contributor to basement wall damage caused by wet weather. This occurs when the temperature rises during the transition from winter to spring, and the warmer weather comes in contact with a cold basement, causing moisture to build up, and resulting in condensation. This can be seen as your walls “sweating” and can cause water damage if the issue is not addressed.
With spring being the rainy season, consistent wet weather can lead to cracks in your foundation or basement walls. This is caused by hydrostatic pressure from water entering into the cracks and can lead to water intrusion. Once the water has entered your basement walls, prolonged exposure will result in damage.
An unexpected cause of water-damaged walls can be the result of an overwhelmed sump pump. During the rainy season, water levels are at their highest point. As water builds up, sump pumps sometimes will not keep up and cause flooding into the basement and against the walls. This will cause damage. It is an ideal practice to regularly maintain and keep an eye on your sump pump during this time of the year to ensure it is operating properly.
Another potential cause is overflowing gutters. It is important to keep your gutters free of leaves and debris. When your gutters are clogged, water from rain or melted snow is unable to freely flow as intended and will flow over the sides, seeping into the soil surrounding your foundation. Once again, this can lead to foundation damage and further damage to your basement.
No one wants to have a ruined basement caused by wet weather. The rainy season can vary, however, we have ways to ensure your peace of mind by keeping a dry basement. Let’s take a look at those ways.
The best way to protect your basement walls from wet weather is by waterproofing your basement. Waterproofing can be done in many ways. At Ohio Homeworx, we utilize methods to waterproof exterior structures, home interiors, and crawl spaces. We offer state-of-the-art ECP Epoxy and Polyurethane Injection Resins to seal basement walls. This provides air-tight sealing and stops water intrusions from your foundation walls.
Check out our Waterproofing page for more information about our methods.
Another good way to help protect your basement walls is by insulating your cold-water pipes. During the winter, insulating your cold-water pipes prevents them from freezing. If your cold-water pipes do freeze, there is a great chance for the pipes to burst. This will cause serious damage to your basement walls and home overall. It is highly recommended to insulate your pipes.
A good way to fight off condensation is by improving the ventilation and humidity in your basement. Improved airflow throughout the basement will reduce moisture build-up on your walls and help keep your basement dry. Check out more to improve your basement ventilation.
As mentioned before, regular maintenance of your sump pump and gutters is ideal to ensure they work efficiently to keep up with the increased water levels during the spring. It is best practice to check your sump pump as the winter begins to die down to see if it is in working condition. As for the gutters, the best time of the year to clean them is before winter begins, as the leaves and dirt will have already fallen off the trees. This allows melted snow and rain to flow freely and have your gutters operate as intended.
Wet weather can have damaging effects on your basement walls. This can be caused by direct water leaks, condensation, or unmaintained home services which help prevent water intrusion. Your basement walls are the first to be affected by wet weather, but they don't have to be. Ohio Homeworx can be the solution for you to keep your home dry and protected from the wet weather.
Contact us today and let's work together to protect your home from the environment before it’s too late.
