The sloping of a house can greatly contribute to the flooding of a basement. This involves everything from soil level to how decks and patios are arranged, in contrast to simply having a hole or crack in the basement. If you feel that your basement is collecting water too often, it might be a good idea to get a Baltimore-based basement waterproofing expert to take a look at the problem. They might cite anything from cracks to the “grade” of your soil, all of which will be explained below.
Going Downhill
According to all known laws of gravity, anything liquid will move downhill. This is especially true for water and basements. Take rainwater for example. When it rains, the soil gets soaked, but the soil does not hold water forever. Since water flows through the path of least resistance downward, excess liquid will most likely end up in the basement.
This makes it important to check various aspects of the house for possible ways through which water can sink into the basement. This may involve soil levels, as well as patios and driveways sloping the wrong way.
Grade Sloping
The simplest way through which water can drain into the basement is through ground runoff, or any kind of water that passes over and into the ground. The grade, also known as the slope of the soil determines how water flows, and it can flow down into the house if the soil slopes towards it. Experts in basement waterproofing working in Baltimore, MD recommend that the slope of the soil 24 inches away from the house should fall by at least 8 inches. Having a professional regrade the soil, or change the direction of its slope helps fix the problem in most circumstances.
Driveway Sloping
Unsurprisingly, a driveway can also be the culprit in flooding a basement. Since driveways are made of concrete, they are even less effective at holding water than soil. This means that driveways that are improperly sloped will direct more water towards the basement. An expert can fix this by fixing the driveway so that it slopes away from the house, or by adding a drain near the house’s foundations.
Patios and Decks
Patios and decks are very popular with homeowners in Baltimore. Not only do they increase the value of a house, but they also are great places to entertain guests in. However, if they are sloped towards the basement, they can contribute to the flooding of the basement. Like a driveway, they are usually made with concrete (some with wood), so they are less effective at holding water.
Downspouts
Gutters and improperly placed downspouts can also cause water to collect in the basement. While gutters and downspouts are meant to direct water away from the foundations, if placed incorrectly, they can still cause the water to return. Coupled with bad soil grading, this could spell a recipe for disaster that costs hundreds in repairs and waterproofing. While checking the grade of your soil, make sure you also check on the positioning of the downspouts. Alternatively, you can have a waterproofing contractor do the inspection for you
The Power of Aging
Old houses are the most vulnerable to flooding by slopes. Building codes have not been fully implemented in the old times, meaning that they are more prone to mistakes that would make a building contractor blush.
This is most apparent in how the ground slopes towards a house. Most old houses will have a soil grade that does not adhere to recommended building practices. Additionally, they could have crumbling beams and crumbling basements. If you have a house that has been standing for over 30 years, it might be a good idea to get a waterproofing contractor to take a look at it.
Luckily, most basement waterproofing experts in Baltimore, MD are familiar with the most common sloping and grading problem. It helps if they offer free inspections so that you know what you’re up against before paying for anything. It always pays to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so getting a contractor to take a look at your property is better than paying hundreds every month to drain and pump out water from your basement.