When you have water getting in the basement, it is important to identify where the water is coming from. Because, only then can you focus on how to make the proper repairs. Therefore, is the water getting in the basement through the walls? Or, is it seeping up through the floor? Is there a water pipe or valve leaking in the basement? Could it be the air conditioner unit or water heater?
All these things and more can be responsible for water leaks. I will explain what to look for.
Is water getting into the basement through the walls or floors?
When it is not obvious where the leak is coming in, you may need to move a few things. You want to move any cabinets, furnishings, and flooring coverings. As you will need to make sure it is not leaking behind or under them.
Next, consider the construction of your basement. If you have an unfinished basement, it should be relatively easy to see the construction. It’s also easier to see where the water is getting into the basement. If it helps, poured concrete and concrete block walls are the most common types of construction for basements.
- Poured concrete walls are most likely to leak from the joints between the walls or at the floor. Cracks can also form on poured concrete walls. Overtime, these cracks can allow water in.
- Concrete block walls often suffer from leaks and can let in significant amounts of water. Not only can they leak at the joints, water can make its way through the mortar. This is also true for brick walls. It is usually because they are unsealed concrete blocks, or the sealant wore down over time. This results in water penetrating through the block itself. Concrete block walls are also infamous for retaining water, as water traps in the hallow sections of the block.
It is important to check for wet spots and cracks at the joints, look for signs of moisture. You may find evidence of efflorescence, a white salty powdery substance, and a sign of moisture. For long term issues, you may even find mold or mildew.
Another possibility is the floor, water can seep up through concrete.
Resource: Reasons Your Basement Walls Leak
Is my window well leaking?
There is another common cause of water getting in a basement, it is due to leaks in window wells. When water collects around the window, either from heavy rain or melted snow for example. This will put pressure on the seals which can eventually fail. It’s also possible for water to penetrate through gaps or cracks around the window. Also be sure to thoroughly check not only the window, but the area around the window for any leaks. Reseal any areas you find that are in need of repair.
Is there a leaky pipe?
Usually, in a basement there are exposed pipes, or pipes in the walls. You can even have pipes under the floor. If you have a major water issue, first turn off the water at the main water valve and check if the water leak stops. Because of pressure in the line allow a few minutes to see if it stops.
- If the water leak stops, this means it’s a broken pipe.
- If the water continues to leak it is not a broken pipe.
Leaks in exposed pipes should be easy to spot. But, for pipes behind walls, listen for signs of drips or water sounds in the wall, a regular drinking glass against the wall may help The wall or floor should show wet signs in the area, if they do try to follow them to find the starting point. Look for wet spots on both sides of the wall and at the bottom.
If there are any leaks in the pipes, turn the water off, then call a plumber.
Resource: How to turn of the water
Is there a leaky water valve?
Check around all water valves for drips or leaks. For small leaks, use a paper towel or brown paper to wipe the area. Because this will make identifying small amounts of water easier. If the issue is with the fixture valve, like a sink, you may be able to just replace the valve.
Did my sump pump fail?
Do you have a sump pump to help keep water out of the basement? Basements that often suffer from water intrusion may have a sump pump to manage water out and away from the house.
A sump pump should automatically turn on when the water reaches a pre-determined level. If the sump pump failed, the pit could overflow, allowing water to build up in the basement.
Check the sump pump:
- Make sure the sump pump is not jamming, because of debris in the pump?
- Certainly it is also necessary to check for any blockage in the exit pipe because of debris?
- Maybe the pump motor died?
You may need to replace the pump or clear out the blockage. Don’t forget to turn off the power before doing any work on a sump pump.
Resource: Is Your Basement Sump Pump Going To Work When You Need It Most?
Is my air-conditioner causing water in my basement?
Air conditioners produce a lot of water. Normally, this water flows through a pipe or hose to the outside of the house. The pipe should be disposing water at least four-feet away from the outside wall. When the air-conditioner’s water pipe gets clogged or if the drain pan leaks, water will overflow around the unit.
Check the pipe on the outside of the house to see if the water is flowing out. The unit must be running for a while before you see water flowing out. Depending where your unit is located, your air conditioner’s water discharge may be going to a drain or sump pit in the basement.
In some cases, you can follow the drain pipe to find the discharge location. Many times, it is in the floor, making it hard to see which direction it may be going.
If you determine the air conditioner has a problem. Turn it off and call a service technician.
Is my water heater causing water in my basement?
Water heater leaks should also be easy to spot as they will often be wet around the unit.
When the leak is coming from a fitting, valve, or pipe to the unit then it may be an easy repair. Gas heaters can develop a small interior leak that is hard to spot. One indication is that the pilot light will keep going out if the leak is above it.
If the unit itself is leaking, turn the water and power/gas off to the unit. It could be time to call a plumber and get a new one.
Other resources for issues with water in the basement
I hope this post has helped you identify where water is getting into the basement. Here are a few other resources to help you manage and mitigate water issues.
Leave me a note in the comments on what water issues you are having and any questions I can help you with.
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