Damp Basement and Crawl Space

Many times proper grading and water control around the house will take care of minor water
infiltration into a basement or crawlspace.

The following are some step by step recommendations, starting with the least expensive. Once the
conditions have been changed, routine monitoring of all of the lower levels will be required.

  • Fill any pockets or holes along the foundation; create a grade away from the house
    minimum 1/2″ per foot.
  • Extend all downspouts and other water discharges a minimum of 10′ away from
    structure.
  • Remove any overgrown vegetation, bushes, trees, or root systems.
  • If the water intrusion is minor, seal the interior of the walls with a masonry sealer and
    fill any holes with hydraulic cement.
  • Have a drain company attend to verify all existing perimeter drain tiles are continuous
    around the entire footprint of the building, and are clear.

If the conditions persists:

  • In some cases, for example a home located at the very bottom of a valley, a
    mechanical solution may be required. A drain field is constructed below the slab and
    gives rising ground water a free path to a sump pump. The local municipality should
    be consulted to see if adjacent lands are drained properly and not contributing to your
    property.
  • There are some other methods of collecting the water at the inside of the wall.
    However, these methods may allow deterioration and water damage to the foundation
    walls. There are also soil injections available which come with a lifetime warranty. A
    polymer is injected into the soil around the foundation perimeter which seals any
    cracks or holes in the foundation. For these, a professional basement water proofing
    company should be consulted with, only as a last resort.
  • Waterproofing the below grade foundation walls involves completely exposing the
    concrete and applying water proofing sealant and membranes. A professional
    basement water proofing company should be consulted.