Basement Waterproofing, Gutters & Downspouts
There are many aspects of basement waterproofing, many of whivh you can resolve on your own. Faulty gutters and downspouts are a major cause of wet basements.
Gutters and downspouts are an important part of basement waterproofing. They direct roof water from settling up against your foundation wall.
Gutters are the horizontal channels running along the edge to your roof that collect water running off the roof and direct it away from the foundation. Downspouts are the vertical parts of your gutter that run from the horizontal gutters to the ground. They carry water down the side of your home, to a place that will not harm your foundation. Your downspouts should be going to a properly graded ground, to a storm drain, to a sanitary sewer, to a dry well, or any other location away from your foundation. Otherwise, the water is likely to fall and collect around the foundation leading to water seepage into your basement.
Basement waterproofing problems can arise due to clogged or faulty gutters and downspouts and are one of the most common problems associated with wet basements. You should inspect your gutters and downspouts regularly, especially during wet weather in the spring and fall. Make sure your gutters are clear and run freely. Clean them out at least twice a year - once in the spring, and once in the fall after all the leaves have dropped. Also, check them occassionally throughout the year as it rains, to make sure no water runs over the gutters and onto the ground near your home. Clogged gutters may lead or contribute to a wet basement.
If the downspouts go only to the ground, insure that the water runs away from your foundation. Consider extending downspouts to help move the water away from the foundation. To prevent build-up of water at the opening near the ground, use a concrete gutter, splash block, or french drains to carry the water away at a slope of one inch per foot. If the ground slopes sharply away from the foundation, the downspout ends should be at least 5 feet away from the foundation. If the ground is rather flat, downspouts should end about 10 feet away. If you live in an area that is very sandy and flat, consider having your downspouts end up to 50 feet away from the foundation. Read more about grading.
If downspouts go underground, try to determine where they go. They should discharge at least fifteen feet or more from the house. At least 25% of the time, underground downspouts back up because they don't work, or they leak because the joints are bad, cracked or separated, leading to water against the foundation. Remember how much water runs through those pipes, and make sure it moves away from your foundation.
There is much you can do to resolve your own basement waterproofing problems before hiring a contractor, and your gutters, downspouts, and grading is a very good start.
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