Basements have a reputation for being dark and damp, but yours doesn’t have to be. By being proactive about moisture levels in your basement, you can prevent mold growth, mildew growth and other problems. In today’s article, ABC Seamless, the top gutter company in our local area, discusses the common reasons behind a damp basement and explains what to do about it.
Clogged Gutters
The purpose of your gutters and downspouts is to catch and redirect water away from your home. If your gutters are clogged or not functioning properly, then rain will be directed toward your foundation. The soil around your foundation can get saturated with water, which will then make its way to your basement. To prevent this, we recommend installing our gutter protection system: Gutter Helmet®. Our product can make gutter clogs a thing of the past, which is why many consider it to be the best rain gutter system on the market.
Interior Water Leak
If your basement is damp, start by checking for signs of an interior leak. This is the most common cause of a damp basement. A water leak can come from multiple sources including a washing machine, a bad pipe, a sink, a toilet and more. We suggest finding where the moisture in your basement is located and determining if something in this area is leaking. Then call a professional to deal with this problem.
Yard Grading Problems
Even if your gutters are functioning properly, rain can still saturate the soil around your foundation if your yard has ineffective grading. The ground around your foundation has to slope away from your house, not toward it. This problem is usually caused by fill dirt around your foundation that’s not properly compacted. You can fix this by building up dirt around your foundation and creating a slope aiming away from the house. Aim for a minimum of one inch per foot, for at least six feet.
If you are looking for the best rain gutter system, then you’ve come to the right place. ABC Seamless can install high-quality steel gutters together with our Gutter Protection system. Our products can protect your home from water damage and help prevent your basement from becoming damp. We can also install steel siding, metal roofing and more. We serve many areas including Anchorage, AK. Call us at (800) 824-3772 to learn more about our services and products or to schedule an appointment.
