How to Troubleshoot a Basement Leak

Inspect the pipes in the basement ceiling. If you have a finished basement with a drywall ceiling, look for water damage. You may need to remove the drywall to expose the pipes. Look for any water spots on the floor that indicate an active leak. Run your hands along the pipes, particularly around pipe joints, to find any slow leaks. If there is a loose pipe connection, tighten it with a pipe wrench. If there is a hole in the pipe, you will need to call in a plumber to have the pipe fixed or replaced.

Check the walls of the basement for cracks. This type of leak will show up as standing water on the floor and water stains on the wall material. Small cracks can be patched with mortar mix and a trowel. Large, structural cracks will need to be addressed by a foundation specialist.

Examine the window seals and frames. If your home is older, chances are the silicone caulk has degraded around the window seals. This can be fixed by recaulking the windows with new silicone caulk. Remove the old caulk with the edge of a flat head screwdriver or a chisel then lay down a new bead with a caulk gun. Rotten wooden window frames will need to be replaced. If you do not have basic carpentry skills, hire a professional to replace them for you.