BASEMENT WATER ENTRY:  In addition to May flowers, April showers will also bring an unwanted side effect to many homes - damp basements.  Many times, damp basement problems can be traced to improper control of surface water at the exterior of the home. 

Improper Grading:  The finished grade around the home should provide a positive slope away from the foundation.  Six inches of drop in ten feet should be adequate in most cases.  If the surrounding yard slopes toward the house, proper swales should be provided to direct surface water away from the home.  In doing this, it is important to maintain at least six to eight inches of clearance between the soil and any wood members of the home to minimize the potential for rot and insect entry. 

Sidewalks and driveways often cause basement water problems if they slope toward the foundation.  These areas should slope away from the home at least 1/4 inch per linear foot. 

Gutters and Downspouts:  Most homes in our area are equipped with a gutter and downspout system.  It is most important that the gutter/downspout system be kept clean and operative at all times.  Leaves and other debris that accumulate in gutters and block drainage through the downspouts will result in water overflowing the gutter edges.  This water will land directly at the home's foundation and can seep through the foundation walls. 

Downspouts that discharge at the foundation also contribute to basement water entry.  Gutter downspouts should be made to discharge ten to fifteen feet away from the home.  If the home contains underground roof downspout extensions, they should be flushed regularly to be sure they are open, functioning properly and discharge at least 15 feet away from the foundation. 

Basement Window Wells:  Make sure that the window well extends above grade and that there is a positive grade away from the house.  The wells should be cleaned periodically to remove leaves and debris.  Plastic domes can be added to keep out leaves and debris which can hold water.  Exterior basement stairways and drains should also be cleaned periodically. 

Shrubbery:  Bushes and trees should be trimmed to provide clearance around the foundation so that air can circulate and help to evaporate moisture in this area.  Similarly, sunken flower beds can hold water and should not be placed near the foundation unless they have a positive slope away from the home.

These steps will help to minimize the potential for basement water problems, however, they are not a cure all.  Other problems such as improper foundation sealing, an erratic underground water table, missing perimeter drains, broken pipes, etc. can cause problems that the above improvements do not address.  In these cases, consultation with someone experienced in these problems is recommended. 

Be careful when working with basement waterproofing companies.  These companies often use high pressure sales tactics to coerce individuals into purchasing a service that may not solve the water entry problem.  Usually, these systems do not address the issue of taking the water away from the foundation.  Rather, they allow the water to enter the basement and then try to collect it and route it back outside.  Over the past 15 years, we have seen many interior basement drain systems installed at a cost of several thousand dollars when the real problem was related to grading or even a faulty downspout. 

 Criterium®-Yingst Tech Tips is the monthly publication of Criterium-Yingst Engineers®  It is intended for the exclusive use of our business associates and may not be altered or used without the express written consent of Criterium-Yingst Engineers®.  For questions, comments, or more information,
please contact Kathy Yingst at 1-800-231-3346; kyingst@yingstengineers.com. 
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