Residential Maintenance Guide
Basement Maintenance
Basement Walls
Basement walls are constructed out of several materials such as poured concrete,
cinder block, stone, and occasionally wood. One common problem associated
with basement walls is moisture penetration.
Water Penetration
According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) approximately
60 percent of all basements in this country suffer from some form of below
ground wetness. Block foundations are especially vulnerable, with an 80
to 90 percent chance of leakage within the first 20 years”. It is
estimated that 98 percent of all basements will leak at some point
during their life. It is rare that water penetration will cause structural
damage, but a wet basement can be a major inconvenience causing damage
to interior finishes or personal items.
Moisture problems in a home can be intermittent - leaking after every
rain or, occurring only after heavy rain. Still, some homes may only leak
during wind driven rains or during a spring thaw. In most cases, the damage
that is caused gives no indication of frequency.
It is estimated that 90 percent of all wet basement problems are caused
by surface water (rain or snow) collecting around the building. Before
investing thousands of dollars on a waterproofing system, it makes sense
to get the water flowing away from the home first.
KEEP YOUR BASEMENT DRY!
Gutters and downspouts play an important role in diverting water away
from the building.
- Clean the gutters and downspouts in the spring and fall (or as needed).
- Make sure that the gutters drain and are sloped towards the downspouts.
- Be sure the downspouts are extended well away from the foundation
(4 to 6 feet is usually adequate).
Improper grading around a home can be another factor in a wet basement.
Regrading the exterior landscaping to direct water away from the building
rather than towards it, can be another effective solution to moisture
problems. Ideally, the ground should slope down and away from the home
at a rate of one inch per foot for the first six feet. A soil
Crawl Spaces
Any area under a home with less than full headroom is called a crawl
space. According to many codes, there must be at least eighteen inches
of clearance between the bottom of the floor joists and the ground and
twelve inches under beams.
Crawl spaces should be dry. The crawl space floor should be protected
against moisture entry with a vapor barrier. Plastic sheeting, felt paper,
or concrete are common materials used. Proper steps should be taken to
allow ventilation within the crawl space.
Typically, one square foot of ventilation per 1500 square feet of crawl
floor is adequate, provided a vapor barrier has been installed. If a vapor
barrier is not present, one square foot of ventilation per 500 square
feet of crawl is suggested. Good ventilation and a vapor barrier will
significantly affect the moisture levels in the crawl space. It reduces
the likelihood of structural damage, pest infestations, and a musty odor
in your home.
- Periodically inspect the crawl space for signs of moisture.
- Open the crawl vents in the warmer months.
- Close the crawl vents in the winter months.
Beams & Columns
The purpose of a support beam is to carry the weight of the floor and
walls horizontally to the foundation or columns. Typical materials for
support beams are steel, wood, or laminated plywood. Steel beams can be
much stronger than wood and are much more resistant to rot and insect
and mechanical damage. Steel beams should rest on steel or masonry columns.
The newer, laminated plywood beams can be stronger than the solid wood
type. These beams are lighter and less expensive than steel beams. Wood
beams can rest on wood columns.
The purpose of a support column is to carry the weight of a beam down
to a footing. Typical materials for support columns are steel, brick,
concrete block or wood. Every support column should have a concrete footing
underneath that compacts well causes water to run across its surface.
This is the preferred material to use.
- Periodically inspect the soil around the perimeter of your home making
sure that water is sloped away from the foundation.
- Any abnormal slanting, sloping or leaning of your floors, walls,
or ceilings should be promptly investigated.
- Periodically inspect wood beams or columns for moisture damage, pest
infestation or warping (especially in crawl spaces).
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