Causes of Wet Basement

One of the major problems I have encountered during Home Inspection is water leakage in the basement. Basement is basically a depression in the earth, if it’s not properly constructed or maintained, over time it will leak.

The best way to prevent water penetration in basement is to eliminate the conditions which are causing water to come in contact with foundation and to divert it away by using proper grading.

The biggest contributing factors for leaky basements are!

1.   Improper grading around the house

Lack of proper grading is simply the largest contributing factor to leaky basement. The landscaping around the house should be such that it enables water to flow away from the house. It is recommended that the grade adjacent to the foundation should be sloped 1:10 away from the foundation. If it is not achievable due to site conditions, swales should be constructed along the perimeter to gather water and direct and discharge it away from the foundation.

2.   Downspouts are not extended away from the house

The downspouts should not discharge storm water close to the foundation wall. It is recommended that the downspouts are extended about 4 feet to 6 feet away from the foundation wall and have splash pads.

3.   Basement windows sill too close to grade

It is recommended that basement windows sill should be around 8 inches higher the adjacent grade to prevent water penetration in basement due to snow accumulation and water.

4.   Deteriorated parging on the foundation wall

Foundation wall needs periodic maintenance if the parging on the foundation wall is peeling off or is deteriorated it needs to be repaired immediately.

5.   Cracks in foundation wall

Cracks can develop in foundation wall due to variety of reasons. However, if they develop they should be repaired immediately by qualified contractor to prevent further damage and water penetration in the basement.

6.   Poorly constructed foundations and basements

Sometimes the foundation wall and slab on the grade are not properly waterproofed. Furthermore, the drainage tile in the perimeter which is required to collect water and discharge it away is not present, is clogged or not properly installed. This will enable water to accumulate near foundation wall and will eventually leak inside.

At RK Home Inspection we check thoroughly your house grading, foundation cracks and other contributing factors to protect and provide you with honest reporting enabling you to take and informed decision.   

At RK Home Inspections we are available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA, Home Inspection Markham

Find us on google places / maps  Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
5. Ice Damns
6. Common Electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum wire
8. Winter Home Maintenance Tips
9. Issues Affecting Older Homes for Insurance Coverage

Ice Dams

How they are formed?

Ice dams are formed when the snow on the roof is melted by the heat escaping out from the house or by the action of sun. The melting occurs mostly at the roof and not at the projected eaves. Water from the melting snow can then freeze and form ice dams at the eaves trough and roof overhang. This ice will prevent and block the water from the melted snow to flow to the gutters. The water then finds it way under the shingles and thus leaking into the attic.

 

What problems they cause?

·         The main problem caused by ice dam is the water penetration into the attic and thus causing water damage at various areas of the house.

·         Rotting of roof sheathing, walls, framing and peeling paint.

·         Mold growth which can result in various respiratory illnesses.

·         The R value which measures the resistance of the insulation for transmission of heat is also reduced when insulation is wet. This will further deteriorate the thermal performance and more heat from house will leak to the roof. This will result in more ice dams.

 

 

How to prevent its formation?

·         Roof should be properly vented to keep the underside of the roof cold and also to remove the heat which has leaked into the attic from the house.

·         Increase the thickness of insulation in the attic

·         Properly seal all the openings and penetration from the house to attic sealing to prevent heat from leaking into the attic.

·         Install vapour barrier under the insulation facing downwards towards the room to prevent water vapour escaping into the attic.

·         Extend exhaust systems that terminates just above the roof, to prevent melting of the snow.

·         There should be minimum three inches of gap between the insulation and the roof sheathing at the sloped roof areas.

 

At RK Home Inspections we are available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTAHome Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA

Find us on google places / maps Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
5. Ice Dams
6. Common Electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum wire in a house
8. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
9. Causes of Wet Basement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

What it is?

Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, Odorless gas and it can harm you even at small concentrations. Carbon Monoxide (CO) displaces oxygen which binds with the hemoglobin and thus suffocates the body. Carbon Monoxide can harm you in low concentration over a period of several hours. However, in higher concentrations Carbon Monoxide can kill in less than five minutes.

Please see table published by CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) below for concentration of carbon monoxide and their effects:

CO concentration in parts per million (ppm)	Effects
0 – 2	Normal conditions in and outside Canadian houses.
10	Recommended exposure limit over a 24-hour period.3
25	Recommended exposure limit over a 1-hour period.3
30	CO detectors are not allowed to sound alarm unless this concentration is maintained for more than 30 days.2
70	CO detectors must sound alarm within 1 to 4 hours.2
150	CO detectors must sound alarm within 10 to 50 minutes.2
200	Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea after 2 to 3 hours. CO detector alarm must sound within 35 minutes.4
400	CO detectors must sound alarm within 4 to 15 minutes.2
800	Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes, death within 2 to 3 hours.4
1,600	Death within 1 hour.4
13,000	Danger of death after 1 to 3 minutes.4

How it is produced?

In a House Carbon Monoxide is produced by any fuel burning appliance which has malfunctioned or improperly installed, such as!

• Furnace
• Stove and Oven
• Water heater
• Dryer
• Room and space Heater
• Fireplace and wood Stove
• Charcoal Grills
• Automobiles
• Clogged Chimneys or flues

How to protect yourself?

• Service your furnace regularly by certified HVAC Technician.
• Get flues, dampers and chimneys inspected yearly by certified professional for any obstruction or crack.
• If you have an attached Garage make sure the door between the garage and house is properly sealed and it has a self-closing devise.
• Install Carbon Monoxide detectors in the house preferably on each floor and especially near sleeping area where it can easily be heard while sleeping. Furthermore, test them regularly for proper operation.

For more information on Carbon Monoxide please visit
Carbon Monoxide Article by CMHC

At RK Home Inspection we check all the Carbon Monoxide detectors present into your house. Recommend them if they are absent. Furthermore, we carry our own Carbon Monoxide detector to test the concentration of Carmon Monoxide concentration in the ambient air.

 We Are Available 7 days a week and we serve entire GTA

Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA 

Find us on google places / maps Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspector Mississauga, Mississauga Home Inspection

Related Blogs

1. RK Home Inspections
2. GFCI Outlet?
3. What is Home Inspection?
4. Ice Damns
5. Causes of wet basement
6. Common electrical problems in a House
7. Aluminum Wiring
8. Issues affecting older Homes from Insurance point of view
9. Winter Home Maintenance Tips