HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-10-24, Page 25THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013. PAGE 25.
MS –Few things can cause more
damage to a home than water. Leaks
and flooding can cause various
structural insufficiencies and may
lead to unsafe conditions in a home.
Panic often sets in when water enters
a home.
Some homeowners live in areas
where a high water table inevitably
forces groundwater up and into
subterranean living spaces. Others
may live close to coastal areas or
rivers and streams that can overflow
and cause home flooding. Still
others who may not have had a water
problem before learn that a heavy
rainfall, and perhaps inadequate
drainage outdoors, can cause water
damage to a home.
Compounding these issues is the
fact that very often a home’s utility
systems are located out of the way in
basements, or these spaces may be
finished to create additional living
space. Water in a basement can be
much more than a nuisance. Water
can lead to thousands of dollars in
damage.
Moisture or several inches of
water in a basement is nothing to
take lightly. Furnaces and waterheaters damaged by water can becostly to replace. Wires that come incontact with water can become
hazards and cause an electrical fire,
and water in a basement may be a
harbinger for bacteria and viruses,
creating unsanitary living conditions
in the home. Mold spores that have
developed in a damp basement can
spread to other areas of the home
thanks to a heating and cooling
forced air system. And a cool, damp
spot can be the perfect habitat for
insects.
When a basement develops a
water problem, it is best to call in a
professional. Although it might not
be cheap, calling a professional can
help you to remedy the situation
faster than if you try several methods
to fix the water problem yourself.
When looking for a waterproofing
company, seek recommendations
from people you trust. Only do
business with licensed professional
contractors who are willing to give
you a free estimate.
Hydrostatic pressure, poor
foundations and cracks can each
cause water to enter the house. Each
situation is different and a
combination of exterior and interior
changes may need to be made. In
order to alleviate some water
problems, certain modifications
must be made. While the following
solutions may not be applicable in
each situation, they are some of the
more common modifications
plumbers suggest when fixing
flooded basements.
• Sump pump:In some cases, the
installation of a well and a
submersible pump may be all that’s
needed to keep basements dry. When
water rises high enough to start the
pump, the sump pump will then
expel the water out through a pipe to
a drain or the street. Sometimes a
sump pump works in concert with a
French drainage system, which is a
channel around the perimeter of the
basement that funnels water to the
sump pump well.
• Vapour barriers: Vinyl, plasticand paint encapsulation systemsmay be applied to the interior offoundation walls to serve as a barrier
system. This prevents water or
condensation from reaching the
interior of the house. A vapour
barrier may extend below the
foundation to direct water runoff
into a drainage system.
• Exterior fixes:There are many
ways to address flooding from
outside the home. These include
using outdoor vapour barriers and
paints, having grading issues
corrected so water will flow awayfrom the home, digging of a swale tocatch water away from thebasement, exterior drainage systems,
and utilizing specialized rain gutters
and downspouts to direct water
further away from the home during
rainstorms.
• Plumbing repairs: Sometimes
water issues may be the result of a
pipe backup or a faulty appliance
and not necessarily an outdoor water
issue. In these cases, repairing the
source of the leak may be all that’s
needed.
Keep basements dry
If a basement is found to be wet, there are a number of
causes that need to be investigated, each with their
corresponding solution. (MS photo)
Wet basement? Here are some causes, cures
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