No matter what you use your basement for, you already know that it’s an important part of your home. However, just because you know it’s important doesn’t necessarily mean it gets the attention it deserves all the time. If it’s a big mystery to you, then that’ll make finding leaks much harder. Use these tips to find out how to find a basement leak.

Cracks or Drains

Odds are, it’s either one of the other. Problems are definitely easier to find in unfinished basements because you can see exactly where the walls or floors have defects in them, and the dampness is pretty easy to trace back to its original source. However, in a finished basement, you’ve got carpet, paneling and drywall obscuring it all. Start with where you first see the problem, and check out the foundation outside too. Cracks in the foundation are easier to spot, and generally occur in a vertical, narrow line.

Homeowners may be confused with what are called form lines, which are vertical remnants of the original way the foundation was made and don’t actually signify any type of structural deficiency.  You’ll also want to check your drains, and start doing your own home-grown experiments when you run the water for various tasks (or wait till it’s raining.)

Small cracks can unfortunately lead to big damage later on. Also, cracks tend to branch out quickly so it’s really best to stay vigilant when it comes to any type of water seepage. If you’re unable to determine where the basement leak is coming from, you may want to talk a professional about it for further clarification of the exact issue. We can help you out if you need additional guidance, so call Basement Flood Protector at 847-852-7150.