Experts in Solving Hydrostatic Water Pressure in a Basement
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Whether liquid, solid, or gaseous, all matter applies pressure due to the force of gravity. While solid states exert pressure downwards, fluids—like water—create pressure on all the surrounding sides at all times due to gravity. This pressure is called hydrostatic pressure.
In simple terms, it is the pressure liquid makes on surrounding objects. It’s proportional to the depth measured from the surface, i.e., the further an object is submerged within a fluid from the surface, the higher the pressure.
With regard to basements, hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure the water in the soil around the basement applies to the basement’s foundation. Over time, groundwater builds up in the soil around the basement wall, and with no other place to go, it applies pressure to the basement walls. This groundwater pressure can gradually damage basement walls without the homeowners understanding the cause, leading to cracks, leaks, and worse.
To prevent the worst from happening to households, let’s look at the main tell-tale signs of hydrostatic pressure basement damage and provide optimal solutions.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on a home and foundation
Hydrostatic pressure basement repair costs can be high and take a significant financial toll on households. Knowing how to prevent the damage caused by hydrostatic water pressure in the basement and avoid those costly repairs begins with recognizing the first signs.
The following sections highlight the signs of hydrostatic water pressure in the basement no homeowner should neglect.
Efflorescence on basement floor or walls:
When there’s hydrostatic pressure on basement walls, moisture travels to the surface and evaporates. What’s left is white or grayish powdery streaks of mineral salt, also known as efflorescence, which can take the form of crystals or foam.
Humidity:
Generally, the humidity level in a basement should be between 35 and 55 percent. While humidity levels under 35 percent are too dry and might foster various skin conditions, levels over 55 percent pose a different concern.
A possible cause of high humidity is hydrostatic water in the basement. In addition to hydrostatic pressure, humidity in basements can result from internal sources of moisture, such as humidifiers, cooking, and clothes dryers in unventilated areas. Determining the cause can be difficult, so contacting a professional is always best.
Strange smells:
Mold usually exudes a foul smell. Unpleasant smells can confirm mold in the basement, even if it’s not visible. People describe the smell of mold and moisture as the smell of a wet dog or socks, so homeowners should be able to easily distinguish it from other odors, such as sewer gas, dead mice, or pet feces.
Walls that bow inward or outward:
Tilting, bowing, and inward basement walls appear when the clay around the basement foundation becomes too saturated with water and swells up. As the soil dries, the walls might change shape again, creating alarming structural cracks and weak spots in the foundation. Bowing walls can lead to irreparable damage or building collapse without proper wall stabilization and straightening.
Cracks in walls:
Cracks in walls can be harmless and often don’t pose an immediate concern. Hairline cracks are frequently cosmetic, and homeowners can fix them with a simple DIY repair. Vertical cracks are rarely structural and usually result from foundation settling and concrete curing. Still, it’s always better to have a professional inspect the cracks and not risk more significant issues.
Water comes out on the floor:
Concrete is porous, so water can still pass through it and emerge through basement walls and floors. The most critical point, however, is the place called the cove joint, which is the point where walls meet the floor. The cove joint allows most water seepage because the walls and the floor were poured separately during construction. If there’s water in these areas, that means there’s hydrostatic pressure under the basement floor.
Mold growth:
Where there’s moisture, there’s mold. Basement walls grow mold for various reasons, one of which could be hydrostatic pressure. Mold is an allergenic and can be toxic, making it an urgent health risk. Removing mold is, therefore, hazardous and requires professional handling.
Ways to Relieve Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic water pressure doesn’t just mean mold and nasty smells—which is bad enough but can be mitigated relatively effortlessly. Excess water anywhere in the house requires proper and professional hydrostatic waterproofing.
The subsequent sections show how to relieve hydrostatic pressure causing water in the basement.
Drill weep holes: Weep holes are small holes drilled through the wall to allow excess water to escape the building. They provide additional ventilation and drainage. A contractor can drill them in after the fact if a building doesn’t already have them.
Installing an Interior Drain: Interior drainage systems are trenches dug alongside the uphill side of a basement. They consist of a perforated pipe, a protective layer of gravel or stone, and a sump basin or pump that pulls out the water. The interior drainage system collects the water and directs it away from the house. The installation can be demanding, so call a professional service rather than attempting it alone.
Regrade the yard: Regrading the yard refers to leveling out any low spots and slopes that lead the water toward the house. To determine whether a yard is uneven, look at whether there’s standing water after rainfall.
Gutter and downspout maintenance: Gutter maintenance isn’t only necessary to prevent hydrostatic pressure. Regularly removing debris protects the roof and the house walls. But leaking or clogged gutters and downspouts easily lead to water pooling around the outside walls and seeping into the basement foundation. Downspout extensions and splash blocks are useful gutter system accessories to prevent this problem.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Hydrostatic pressure in the house results from overly saturated soil around the below-grade walls of the house.
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Heavy and extended rainfall can increase the hydrostatic pressure in the ground around the basement walls. Prolonged rainfall is even worse when combined with prolonged periods of drought, as it causes basement walls to expand and shrink frequently, creating cracks.
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Installing interior drains, drilling weep holes, regrading the yard, and regularly maintaining the gutter system help reduce hydrostatic pressure.
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The properties of hydrostatic pressure are:
The amount of pressure, which increases with depth.
The pressure rate, which depends on fluid density.
The direction of the pressure, which is vertical.
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Like all matter, water exerts pressure due to gravity. In addition to downward pressure, fluid also applies pressure laterally.
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The law of hydrostatic pressure, also called Pascal’s Law, is the fundamental law of fluid mechanics. Pascal’s law states that the fluid pressure exerted on an object equals the weight of the fluid.
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The factors that depend on hydrostatic pressure are acceleration of gravity, fluid density, and the distance between the surface level and the reference point.