Why Water Gets Into Basements After Heavy Rain

Why Water Gets Into Basements After Heavy Rain

Many homeowners notice moisture or water in the basement after a heavy rain and immediately assume there is a crack in the foundation. While cracks can sometimes be part of the problem, one of the most common causes of basement moisture actually starts outside the home.

In many cases, water begins collecting around the foundation because the soil around the house has settled over time.

How Soil Around the Foundation Affects Basement Moisture

When a home is built, soil is backfilled around the foundation after the basement walls are completed. Over time, this soil gradually settles. As the soil settles, the slope around the house can slowly change.

If the ground begins sloping toward the home instead of away from it, rainwater and melting snow may start draining toward the foundation. When water repeatedly collects near the basement walls, it increases the chance of moisture entering the basement.

Common Signs Water Is Draining Toward Your House

• Moisture or dampness in the basement after rain
• Musty smells in the basement
• Water running down basement walls
• Soil sloping toward the house
• Areas around the foundation where the ground has settled
• Landscaping beds that hold water near the house

How Correcting the Grading Around Your Home Helps

Correcting the grading around a home helps restore the slope that directs water away from the foundation. By reshaping the soil around the house, rainwater can drain away instead of collecting near the basement walls.

Foundation grading is often one of the most effective ways to reduce moisture problems caused by water draining toward the home.

Foundation Grading in the Fox Valley

In the Fox Valley area, soil settling and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles can gradually change the slope around a home. Over time this can create low areas around the foundation where water collects after heavy rain.

Correcting the grading around the home helps move water away from the foundation and reduces the chances of moisture problems develop. If you suspect that water may be draining toward your home, you can learn more about how grading helps solve this problem by visiting our Foundation Grading and Drainage Correction page.