How Do I Fix A Water Leak That Damaged My Basement?
If your basement has been damaged by water leaks, you cannot afford to waste time as the damage can become worse within a few hours. Therefore, it is paramount to look for ways to fix a water leak that damaged your basement.
But what are the things you can do to fix the water leak? Let’s consider the options below.
· Seal the gaps
Are there gaps in your basement? Then, you should know that such gaps are some of the major areas where water is coming into your basement. To deal with this problem, you should not hesitate to seal the gaps with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement. You can get these materials in the house improvement stores near you.
However, you should realize that this solution will not work if the groundwater is causing the leak. So, you have to look at other solutions.
· Install gutter extensions
Sometimes, the downspouts may be sending water to areas close to your house. In this case, it is easy for water to come back into your basement and damage it. If you are ready to fix the water leak, you should install gutter extensions. The essence of the gutter extensions is to ensure that the water is redirected away from your property.
· Waterproof the basement
Numerous methods can remove the water leak temporarily, but they will not prevent a future occurrence of the same problem. If you want to prevent a repeat of the water leak, you need basement waterproofing.
It should be noted that basement waterproofing comes in different forms. One of them is the installation of an exterior system called a French drain. This drain will collect water and prevent it from getting into the foundation of your house. Otherwise, you may also want to use an internal drainage system for the basement waterproofing.
Additionally, a sump pump can be installed as a part of your basement waterproofing strategy. This pump will receive water and send them into drainage; thus, it ensures that your basement is not flooded.
While basement waterproofing can help your home in numerous ways, it can be quite expensive. So, you need to consider the cost before embarking on the project.
· Reshape the landscape
Many homes have sidings that somewhat overlap the foundation. Over time, termites and rot could get too close to the sidings of the homes. This doesn’t only make the homes uncomfortable for the residents but can also result in water leaks. You can fix this problem by just building a berm that will direct the water away from your home.
Fortunately, this solution doesn’t cost a lot of money, especially if you are only reshaping a small area. Despite its affordability, the solution will ensure that you don’t have to worry about water leaks every time.
In a nutshell, you must note that a water leak can cause serious damage to your home. So, don’t wait until things get out of hand by using the methods above to solve the problem.