Leaky basements are the number one problem that homeowners face. The longer the problem exists the worse it can become and the more expensive it can be to maintain in the future. Apart from the decreased home value, experts say “humidity and moisture can promote growth of biological agents that can trigger asthma”. Eliminating water, mold and mildew caused by water seepage can create a healthier living environment.

No basement is safe from water leaking through the walls, floor and foundation. The most common culprit of water in the basement is seepage. A water problem in the basement usually means there is hydrostatic pressure building up outside the basement wall. If left unattended this can lead to major structural problems such as foundation settlement, cracks (structural and non-structural) and can even cause a foundation wall to collapse

You may be noticing cracks on your walls or floors. These cracks can be hairline or larger depending on the amount of water pressure around the outside of the foundation. You may have noticed moisture or dampness on the floor or walls after heavy or saturating rain.

Cracks can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and directions. For example, you may see step-cracks on the wall. You might find vertical cracks, or horizontal cracks. In any of these cases, something is causing this to happen – cracks don’t usually appear naturally. It could be from settling, pressure on the walls or under the floor, or any number of other causes. Identifying the problem early minimizes damage to your foundation and home.

First stage of cracking: A foundation goes through various stages of cracking. Cracks typically start from the outside and work their way inside. The first stage of cracking is usually just a hairline crack outside and nothing is noticeable on the inside at this point.

The second stage is when the crack has worked its way about halfway through the wall. Water may just be inside the hollows of a block wall or be inside the crack of a mortar joint or cement wall. This second stage is when you notice signs of water such as mold, mildew, peeling paint, white powder, warped paneling, a musty odor, dry rot, rust and/or dampness.

The third stage is typically when you begin to see cracks or water. You may even notice bugs or rodents in your basement that can enter through the cracks and stay due to a moist, damp environment. In addition to the signs from stage two, you may notice the basement is excessively damp, show hairline cracks or spots on the walls. You might notice a loss of lime salt (white powder from walls.) Puddles form on the floor. You may see seepage during moderate rain, or basement flooding during torrential rain.

The fourth stage is when the cracks are at an advanced stage. You will notice a lot more water, some mud, more insects, rodents, and some foundation movement, such as bowing walls or buckling floors. In this stage there is visible structural damage, such as corners shifting and cracking or the floor dropping.