Homeowners everywhere dread certain events, and one of them is finding water in the basement. If left unaddressed, basement flooding can cause moisture to accumulate and mold and mildew to grow, creating a health hazard for you and your family. It’s important to address the issue ASAP by determining the root cause of the water accumulating in your basement, so you can keep your basement dry and protect your property from damage. 

Here are the most common causes of water accumulation in the basement:

Gutter/Downspout Issues

It’s common for the source of basement water to be an issue of rainwater management. If your property has a lot of foliage, fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris may be overwhelming your gutters and downspouts, causing them to be clogged and overflowing. Alternatively, underground drainage piping may also have become clogged or broken, which will cause your downspouts to pour rainwater directly next to the foundation. 

Negative Grading

The landscaping around your home should be designed to encourage water to drain away from the foundation. This means that it should slope down away from the house. Negative grading is a common issue we see during home inspections in Denver. Keep in mind that mulch does not contribute to grading because it’s porous. Water will drip right through it into the soil. Make sure that your soil makes a positive slope. 

Standing Water

While we generally have a dry climate here in Colorado, once winter comes around, we have to consider the issue of thawing snow. Once the soil is completely saturated, any excess water will find somewhere to pool, which may be the pit in the ground that was dug for your basement. 

Broken Drain or Sump Pump

It’s typical for homeowners to neglect their crawl spaces. After all, they are tucked away, and there are many other elements in your home to care for. It’s very common for us to find out that a drainage system isn’t working properly during a home inspection, entirely unbeknownst to the homeowner. Drains can often become clogged with debris, and it’s important for sump pumps to be serviced every year. Otherwise, water can accumulate in the basement. 

Defective Window or Vent Wells 

It’s possible that the wells around your vent openings or windows were not installed properly. They should be at least a few inches about the surrounding soil and they should be secured to the wall of the foundation. If they’re not, it’s possible for water to find its way around the well and into the basement through the window or vent. 

Cracks in the Foundation 

As a home ages, it’s possible for large cracks to form in the foundation. This is especially true if rainwater has not been properly dealt with on the property, such as if there has been a downspout draining too close to the foundation for an extended period of time. It’s easy for water to get into these cracks and trickle into your basement. You may be able to seal cracks with epoxy sealant to deter this issue from getting more serious.  

Owning a home is a joy, but it also involves keeping on top of a lot of maintenance. Is your house due for a home inspection? We can help. Contact Safe Investment Home Inspection in Denver for assistance.