There are a number of items that can cause water to infiltration into the basement. One is foundation related issues and the other is plumbing issues.

Unfortunately, both of these problems require some invasive investigation such as drywall and carpet removal. Foundation issues are typically cracks or ‘honey comb' concrete that allows water or moisture into the basement. These can be fixed with topical remedies such as crack fillers on the exterior walls or simple re-grading of the lot. Another cause may be poorly installed or lack of weeping tile. This is a porous plastic tube that runs the perimeter of the foundation and channels water from around the lower portion of foundation to the sewer or sump system. This will cause the water to back up and enter any faults.

Plumbing problems come in two distinct forms, catastrophic and chronic. The catastrophic type is typically a burst or damaged pressurized supply lines or a failed sump pump. This will be very evident and must be addressed immediately. The chronic form is a little more difficult to detect and is usually a damaged drain or vent pipe allow slow dripping water behind the walls.

All of the above will not only damage drywall, carpet, and finishing materials, but will allow mould and mildew to form on any porous surfaces. A professional contractor can provide the correct solutions for all of these problems.