4 Maintenance Tips to Help Keep the Moisture Out of Your Basement!

"Is the basement dry?" It's probably one of the most frequently asked questions I hear from Buyers. 

Like many other things in life....a dry basement is often better management than good luck and lots of times, moisture in the basement is the result of the homeowner not fully understanding how good old water is so determined to take the course of least resistance. As many home inspectors and basement specialist have told me "exposed to enough water and bad drainage over time...most basements will leak". Every home has a drainage system: The Upper...which consists of eaves troughs and downspouts...and the Lower...which consists of weeping tiles, sewer lines and grading. Both require constant monitoring and maintanence.

• Eaves troughs are a design feature on homes in areas that experience regular rain and snow...and are meant to carry water away from your house. Make sure that they're clean and that the downspouts are clear of any blockages. Also, make sure the downspouts direct the water away from your foundation. Left unchecked, decaying leaves will actually compost in your eaves, adding a tremendous amount of weight which could pull your eaves away from the house and compromise their function resulting in a wide variety of water/snow/ice issues. Cleaning eaves in late spring and late fall is a must if you're surrounded by large deciduous trees. If your downspouts are connected to your sewer or weeping system, disconnect them and direct them away from your home...and your neighbors as well!
• Check the grading around your house at least twice a year...if not more often. Make sure that your gardens, lawns, pathways and driveways slope away from your foundation walls. In areas that experience freezing temperatures in the winter, it's not uncommon for interlock patio stones and walkways to shift or sink as a result of heaving from frost in the ground. If this happens, correct the grading as soon as possible. CMHC  recommends that you keep gardens 6' away from your foundation...but this may be impossible on some properties. Hedge materials in soil sloped away from your home can make a very good division between your foundation walls and water loving plants.
• Keep window wells clear. Window wells are features on homes that have basement windows partially or completely below grade. Inside every window well there should be weeper tiles or weeper hose connected to the weepers around the foundation, allowing for water to flow quickly and easily out of the window well and into the drainage system around your house.
• Lastly...especially if you live in a mature urban area...clean out your sewer lines at least once a year. Towering maples and oaks lining the street are beautiful, but their roots play havoc to many a homeowner as they creep their way into sewer lines, clogging them up and causing those horrible sewer backups in basements.

Remember,allowing water to pool around and towards your basement walls is a sure recipe for moisture in your basement. Doing regular maintenance of those exterior drainage systems will go a long way in keeping your basement dry!