A Downspout Drain Is Causing Leaks in a Basement

Clogs

• Your house rain gutters and downspouts should never have clogs in them since a clog may result in water leaks in the basement. Normally, the water flows off the roof, into the rain gutters and down the nearest downspout. The downspout slopes away from the house, sending the water away from the foundation. A clog in the downspout allows the water to spill over the sides of the rain gutters, allowing the water to collect next to the house’s foundation. That water may seep into your basement

Placement

• Just because your house’s rain gutters have downspouts does not mean water cannot end up penetrating into the basement. If the downspouts are poorly placed, the water may still pool around the foundation. The downspouts should not empty onto a patch of ground that slopes toward the house. Attaching plastic extender pieces on the ends of the downspouts helps transport the rain water further from the house, helping lessen the chances that the water leaks into the basement. If you cannot channel the water onto favorable terrain, you may connect the end of the downspout to a drywell in the ground. The drywell captures the rain water and slowly releases the water into the soil.

Foundational Weakness

• Once the water from the gutters’ downspouts flows into the ground near the house’s foundation, the water follows a pathway of least resistance through the ground. That pathway may lead the rainwater to the house’s foundation, where the water again flows through any pathway of least resistance. The water flows through any foundation cracks, penetrating into the basement. Sealing cracks in the foundation helps keep water from entering the basement.

Mold and Water Damage

• Water entering your basement can damage your house, especially if you do not take action to correct the problem. Any amount of water may damage your drywall, causing it to warp and fall apart. The water may also trigger mold growth on a number of surfaces in your basement. When mold colonizes materials that are porous, such as carpet padding or drywall, you must throw out the material since you can never scrub away all of the mold spores.