What causes a basement to leak or flood?
Your basement is a hole in the ground surrounded by a porous concrete material with cracks, holes, and joints in it. If this porous space of loose soil around your foundation is filled with water during a rain, it will cause hydrostatic pressure to push the water into your basement. The water will enter the basement through the walls, floors, and joints between them. Many homeowners have dry basements for years until an existing internal or external perimeter drain clogs with mud and silt. (see clogged drain system picture on left) This is why a non-clogging solution is so important. Many solutions have been developed to keep basements dry, some of which are more effective than others.
