3 Ways Winter Increases the Risk of Basement Leaks

During the brutal winter months, nothing can make things more unbearable than a leaky basement. In fact, no homeowner wants to spend their evenings mopping up the entire basement. Not to mention, the repairs associated with a leaky basement can become incredibly costly. Even though many will typically associate leaks and floods with periods of heavy rain, the reality is, it can happen anytime. Here are some reasons why winter tends to be the most common season when homeowners experience the highest prevalence of basement leaks and the best ways to avoid them. 

Basements Will Radiate Heat, Thereby Melting The Snow

Even though it’s well below freezing outside, that doesn’t mean your basement is that cold. In fact, basements are typically significantly warmer than the outdoors — no matter the season. That means, regardless of whether you have a finished or unfinished basement, it’ll end up melting any snow or ice that falls. This melting will create excess moisture in your home. As a result, this build-up of moisture can end up harming your home if you aren’t aware of it. Excess moisture is the most notable leading cause of mold in the home. In the winter, as the snow melts outside your home, moisture will eventually continue to build-up and then get trapped between the soil and your basement walls. This is not a good look. It can be incredibly detrimental to the structure and health of your basement. 

Improper Type Of Soil

There is so much that goes into the soil you use outside your home than many actually take into consideration. In fact, the soil that surrounds your basement plays a significant role when it comes to any potential leaks. All it takes is the right type of soil to avoid a basement leak. However, if you have the wrong type of soil, you could end up with some serious leaks and further problems. Improper soil can result in a pool of moisture that’ll end up trapped between the walls of your basement. This can be a very dangerous result causing severe damage to the structure of your home. 

Cracks In The Walls Or Floors

Any cracks in your floors or walls will obviously be a major problem when it comes to leaks. In fact, a crack in the foundation is one of the most common ways basements flood. When moisture ends up accumulating in your basement, the pressure will push all that moisture down, and that’ll cause it to look for virtually any way it can escape. 

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today for Your Waterproofing Needs!

If you are ready to get a professional to waterproof your home’s basement, contact All Aspects Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420. To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Houzz.