If you’re in trouble with water entering your house, then now is the time to learn about the various causes of basement leaks. When Olson Foundation Repair performs an inspection, our primary objective is to identify root causes. Homeowners can learn the basics of it as well and have a better chance of thwarting the leakage problem before it spirals out of control.

Causes of Basement Leaks? Improper Grading & Structural Deficiencies

Improper grading and structural issues are the two biggest culprits for basement leaks. The grading refers to the slope of the soil around your house, and if it’s tilted toward your foundation, even slightly, then rain water runoff will overwhelm you.

Then when we mention structural issues we have to focus on deeper problems such as interior walls moving laterally or out of position. Whenever you have trouble like that, it can lead to an entire array of problems: leaks, cracks, walls collapsing, and so forth.

The age of the structure can play a role as well, but it has as much to do with material quality as anything. You’ll enjoy a sturdier foundation if it’s made with poured concrete. While a home might be older, and thus more vulnerable to structural weakness, they may have less favorable materials like cinder block or stone concrete.

Stone material is more susceptible to water intrusion, for example. It’s more coarse with several gaps, giving water plenty of tiny entryways into your basement. The cinder block foundations have similar problems, especially when it wasn’t installed right.

Ways to Address Common Causes of Basement Leaks

Depending on the severity of these issues, you’ll want to do one of two things (or both): 1) Address all the structural issues, and 2) Basement waterproofing. You wouldn’t want to bother with the second option if you don’t have the first part covered, since it does no good to add waterproofing safeguards without structural integrity. Olson Foundation Repair is always happy to inspect and address structural issues anywhere along your home foundation.

If you’re struggling to achieve proper grading on the outside of your home, it may help to call a landscaping company for assistance. They can help you develop a “positive grade,” which would direct water away from your home. The other critical step is to clean out your gutters, have them pointing the right direction, and position the downspouts to drain a few feet beyond your home.

Ready for Basement Waterproofing? We Can Help!

Hopefully, you have your grading and foundation issues under control. If so, you still might wish to consider the more preventative work we do with basement waterproofing. This is your opportunity to prevent the water problems that can slowly take their toll on even a healthy foundation, leading to cracks, leaks, and even flooding.

Olson Foundation Repair can help you control water even better with interior/exterior drainage installations, sump pump pit installations, exterior wall membranes, and more. Of course, you’ll want to hire to do basement waterproofing for a variety of reasons.

• You’ll save money and get better results as opposed to the trial-and-error efforts of “DIY” waterproofing.
• Since this would involve walls and foundation work, it’s much safer to hire somebody who’s insured and knows what they’re doing.
• We offer numerous services warranties for our work because we know it’ll do the trick, and last several years.

Olson Foundation Repair: Outstanding Basement Repairs & Waterproofing in Kansas City

We’re at your service, any time of year, for all homeowner clients around Kansas City. Our work earns us lots of positive testimonials and reviews from folks in Olathe, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, and Roeland Park. We also hold an accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which verifies our commitment to 100% customer satisfaction.

Contact Olson Foundation Repair today for expert assistance on all the causes of basement leaks, along with ways to resolve them permanently.