Water, water everywhere! What you should know about wet basements

No doubt about it, we’ve seen some heavy rains in this area. And while we need it for the plants, we don’t need it in the basement. Unfortunately, that’s where rain, dampness or flooding can end up if homeowners aren’t vigilant.

But there’s still the danger of flooding, even later, according to Pendleton, who is an expert witness in the building and remodeling industry.

Why worry after the storm?

According to Pendleton, “Rainstorms often open underground channels that thereafter conduct surface water to basements. Then, after never having had water problems, the homeowner will get wet basements almost every time it rains. And unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware that insurance usually does not cover the often very expensive damage.”

Pendleton says all homes are at risk, even newer ones. He would know, having decades of building and remodeling industry experience and having inspected more than two thousand homes. “Today's homes are constructed in a way that they will have future moisture problems,” he says. “Most basements would not leak if precautions were taken beforehand.” But again, many homeowners don’t know this.

Beyond the sump pump

“A lot of people automatically think, water...that’s what the sump pump is for,” says Pendleton. “But sump pumps should be for backup only, not the primary component of foundation waterproofing. Even after pumping the water out, whether it is visible or unseen, dampness remains in the walls and under the floor and attracts insects, mold, fungus, and causes wood and carpet pad rot. It also causes serious medical problems.”

It’s common that when sump pumps fail (or don’t exist), homeowners call contractors right away, Pendleton says. “What happens is, homeowners see some water or moisture, and they call a contractor without first having the source of the water identified. So, the contractor comes in not knowing the source, either. The contractor proposes to do the wrong work or not enough. Others add unnecessary work, which increases the cost.”

Pendleton says the contractors aren’t necessarily doing this because they are trying to rip people off. They do it because the real source of the moisture was not identified prior to the work being done.

Finding the source to fix the problem

According to Pendleton, there are many factors involved when trying to establish the source of a water or dampness issue, including examining the roofing, gutters, siding, landscaping (such as patios, walks, garden beds), the foundation itself, street sidewalks and curbs, underground utilities, soil types, and even the original topography before the house was built. The age of the house and the building methods and materials used for construction are also important factors.

Pendleton says this is where he comes in. His job is to look at all the factors, identify the problem and recommend courses of action.

“We do not do your waterproofing repairs, so we are unbiased,” he says. “We show you why you have the water, dampness or mold problems and how to cure them.”

Pendleton says this is helpful when homeowners can do the corrective and/or preventive work themselves. And when a contractor is needed, time and money are saved because the contractor already knows what to do.

For more information, call The House Inspector at 703-356-2441.