Does Your Basement Have a Moisture Problem?

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Does Your Basement Have a Moisture Problem? 

A wet basement feels gross and smells disgusting. Basements with moisture control issues can ruin your floors, walls, and can cause mold to grow not only in your basement but in your home as well. The first step to successfully stopping your basement from becoming flooded with water is to identify the root problem. Here are four strategies you can utilize to keep your basement dry. 

1. Reshape the landscape: Create a berm (a mound of dirt) or a swale (a wide, shallow ditch) landscape features that redirect water long before it reaches your house. 
2. Plug gaps:  Do you notice water dripping through cracks or gaps around plumbing pipes? You can plug these yourself using hydraulic cement or polyurethane caulk.
3. Restore the crown:  Your home should sit on a "crown" of soil that slopes at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet in all directions. You can build this back with a shovel and dirt. 
4. Add gutter extensions: You can add plastic or metal gutter extension to guide water further out if your downspouts are dumping water less than 5ft away from your home. 

If you are having moisture issues in your basement, call SERVPRO of South Greenville County (864) 292 - 3137. For more information, please visit www.SERVPROsouthgreenvillecounty.com