What To Do Immediately If You Find Water In Your Basement

Basement leaks can be a major hassle, especially when you have a list of other things to fix around the house. While it's tempting to stick a bucket under dripping water and go about your day, leaks are definitely not something to ignore. A leaky basement can lead to mold problems and potentially cause severe water damage to your home's foundation. According to Forbes, water damage restoration service can cost as much as $13,000, depending on the location. So, if you want to avoid an immense repair bill, here's what to do immediately after finding a basement leak.

First, turn off the main water supply to your home. This helps ensure no water is in use, especially through common culprits like a burst pipe or running toilet. Once you've controlled the water source, do your best to remove any standing water in the basement. If a bucket and mop aren't enough, a wet/dry vacuum or a sump pump may be more efficient. You'll also need to dry out the basement as much as possible to prevent mold growth. Tools like dehumidifiers, fans, and heaters are good for this process. Opening a window can also help with ventilation. Somewhat surprisingly, you can even use kitty litter to reduce moisture when it comes to smaller leaks. Regardless, the next step is to hunt down the source of the leak.

Issues from both inside and outside of the house can cause leaks in the basement, so finding the source of the water leak will be a process of elimination. Starting from inside the basement, look for visible indicators like cracks, stains, and peeling paint along the floor and walls. Also check around common water entry points like windows and plumbing fixtures. As for outside, check for structural issues where rain can trickle through the home, such as any cracks in the foundation or grading issues. According to StaySafe.org, proper grading helps prevent water from pooling near foundation walls. If there's a problem with it, water can seep into the basement.

Don't forget to check the less obvious places, too. Clogged gutters can do more damage than you think, since improper water drainage can eventually flood around your home's foundation. Once you've located the source, the obvious next step is to fix it. Seal any cracks, clean out the gutters, repair leaky pipes, and so on. If you still can't find the source of the leak, it may be best to hire a professional. An experienced contractor can help identify the source of the problem and determine the best solution to waterproof your basement to prevent future leaks.