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Things to do before calling a Contractor |
 | Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts for blockage and leaks Remove leaf's and debris. Do not wash the material down the downspout. . |
| Test your drain system for blockage. Insert your garden hose into your downspout and/or gutters and let the water run for 5-minutes full blast. Check to see that the system can carry off the water and that your basement is not getting wet as the result of a broken pipe. . |
| Inspect the soil slope from the foundation. Water should run away from the foundation for at least 48". This will help eliminate the possibility of water pooling against the foundation. Maintain a minimum of 6" soil to wood clearance. . |
| Test for water supply line leak or break. Check sinks for drips, toilets for leaky valves, etc. If you have city water, find the water meter normally at the curb and take an accurate reading. Wait 1-2 hours and check if meter has changed while all water has been turned off. If the meter has changed, you may have a leak and should contact a licensed plumber to do repairs. |
| Check for water leaks where pipes enter the basement. If a water leak exists around a pipe entering the basement (assuming the pipe itself is not leaking), chip away any loose or crumbly concrete until solid, clean exposed concrete using a stiff brush, rinse with water, mix and install and concrete patch using Hydrostatic or water plug mix. |
| Test basement walls for seepage. Tape a 12" square piece of aluminum foil to the moisture prone wall making sure all sides are sealed airtight. Wait a few days and check the foil. If moisture is on the outside it is condensation, if it is on the inside it is seepage. . |
| Topical water problems (rainwater). If you suspect water is traveling over the surface and reaching the foundation, either grade your soil and/or build a trench with perforated pipe and river rock "U" shaped around the house may be needed to divert the water. .
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