For some mysterious reason, our new house in Myrtle Beach always seems to have a wet basement after it rains. Do you have any advice about possible causes and what to look for? Could this be a significant structural problem? I’m trying not to worry.
Beth ~ Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
A wet basement could be a minor problem, or it could be a major problem—often it takes some time to identify where the water is getting in. You mention that you just purchased the home. If the house was built recently, there should be a structural warranty involved. A wet basement is definitely a structural issue, and the builder should identify and correct the problem. If the house is older, I would get the realtor and the previous owners involved. Chances are it didn’t just start leaking when you purchased it.
I imagine that the Myrtle Beach area has a high water table, and the land is rather flat. That would mean most basements are fully in-ground, and need a sump system to remove the water from around the foundation. Hopefully, your house has a sump pump, and perhaps it isn’t operating correctly. Most sump pumps work off of a float system. If you can locate where the pump is, take the cover off the top, and lift the float inside briefly. The pump should turn on. If the pump works, the next time it rains watch the discharge of the system to make sure water is coming out. The discharge should be on the exterior of the home, and water will not come out constantly, just when the pump comes on. If the pump is functioning, and you are not seeing any water being discharged, or very little, then chances are you have a clogged drain tile.
If you see water exiting the discharge, but still have a wet basement, it may indicate a foundation crack. Or, it could be something as simple as loose or missing caulking that needs to be replaced at a door threshold or around a window. Wet basements do not necessarily imply a significant structural problem, but it can be frustrating locating where the water is getting in. However, as I mentioned, with a newly purchased house, you should not be the person having to deal with that problem.
Seepage and moisture through basement walls and floors can be solved with an application of Hydro-Seal 75. Be sure to concentrate where the water is entering the foundation and check the outside to make sure gutters and downspouts are running water away from foundation.
Two coats of Hydro-seal 75 applied to basement walls and floor or floor perimeter should solve the problem. Be sure to patch any holes, cracks or voids with Hydro-Seal 75 Mortar which is Hydro-Seal 75 mixed with Portand Cement & Sand (Sand Mix works well too).
Steps:
1. Clean surface by washing with TSP & neutrallizing with clear water.
2. Mix Hydro-Seal 75 at a 1 to 1 ratio and apply with paint rollers and brushes. Start and finish where water leaks in.
3. Make mortar mix out of Hydro-Seal 75 and sand and cement and skim over cracks, holes and voids.
4. Apply 2nd coat of Hydro-Seal 75 and you are done!
Hydro-Seal 75 contains no VOC’s and is odorless making it perfect for tight areas like basements, bulkheads and elevator pits.
Hydro-seal 75 holds back more water, 40PSI, than other materials sold in home centers and online.
Hydro-seal 75 is available with anti mold biocide to eleiminate mold growth on the surfaces it is applied to.
Hydro-Seal 75 is available in colors including White, Gray & Beige and will beautify sufaces it is applied to.
Hi Rick. Thanks for the input. The Hydro-Seal 75 sounds like a good product.
Jeff