Is your home suffering from wet basement issues? Basement moisture is a common issue, and as basements are dark places, they often face problems like damping and moisture. However, this minor issue can cause structural damage and compromise the health and safety of your place with the growth of toxic mold. So, what exactly leads to basement moisture? And how can people fix it?

It is essential to know about the warning signs and systems. The signs of basement moisture may not be noticeable initially. A few things to look out for are:

• Water trickling from the wall
• Condensation on the floor and wall
• Humidity in air
• Stained walls
• Water puddles on the floor
• Damp carpet
• Rotting columns
• Foul odor
• Presence of mold

If you notice any signs, you should know that your basement has moisture.

Moisture in the basement comes from three sources:

• Rainwater: Water from outside can make its way inside. Hence it is essential to choose proper grading, gutters, and downspouts.
• Interior moisture: Sometimes, water in the basement originates on its own through showers, cooking, humidifiers, and dryers.
• Ventilation: People often leave their basement windows open for ventilation. It can lead to condensation on the floor and wall.

Causes of basement moisture and ways to fix them

• Internal water leak

It may appear like a no-brainer, but you should always look for inside leaks first. A water leak can come from a toilet, gutter, dishwasher, sink, or bad pipe. Find out from where the moisture is coming and resolve it.

How to fix it: You can fix the interior leak by repairing it.

• Ineffective grading

Often rainwater makes its way into the basement because of bad grading. The ground around the foundation should always slope away from your house. If the direction is not right, water will accumulate against the foundation and enter inside.

How to fix it: Creating a slope channeling water away from your home is essential. It should be at least 6 feet away from your home.

• Bad gutters and downspouts

If your gutters and downspouts are not working correctly, rainwater will make its way inside your home.

How to fix it: Add gutters in places that don’t have one. Also, add one downspout every 50 ft. of your roof eave. You should also add extenders to the downspouts so that water disperses farther away from the foundation.

• Crack in the foundation

You will find water in your basement if you have cracks in your foundation. If the floor joists are improperly connected to the foundation walls, it can lead to crack formation. If the water is not directed away from the foundation, hydrostatic pressure can force the water to enter inside the walls, creating cracks.

How to fix it: depending on the reason for the crack, the solutions differ. If hydrostatic pressure is the cause of the cracks, it is essential to repair the exterior drainage. If the cracks have occurred because of structural issues, proper footing and connection should be made to seal the gap.

These are a few basement waterproofing Toronto problems and their solutions. The bigger the problem, the more costly the repair is. For more help, contact professionals.