How Do I Keep My Basement Dry in Michigan?

Keeping your basement dry in Michigan can be a challenge. Wet basements and basement flooding in Michigan are a common and difficult situation to deal with. Whether you’re dealing with a wet basement for the first time after an intense storm, or you’ve been fighting moisture in the basement for years, you’re probably wondering how to keep your basement dry in Michigan. Let’s take a look at how basement flooding can happen, and how to keep your basement dry.

How Do Wet Basements Happen?

How do wet basements happen? Why do wet basements happen? Why does flooding occur so suddenly? And is Michigan more likely to have wet basements than other places?

Some areas are certainly more likely to have wet or flooded basements than others. Areas with lots of lakes, rivers, ponds, and swamps are more likely to have wet basements. Similarly, areas with lots of rainfall or snowmelt, high water tables, or soils with high clay content are also prone to have wet or flooded basements.

Different areas in Michigan may have any or all of these issues. The nonprofit organization First Street Foundation studied flood risk across the nation, including Michigan, and found almost 400,000 more properties in the state with flood risk than the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identified. Many more properties are subject to water damage less extreme than flooding, but still damaging and potentially harmful.

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There are different levels of basement moisture, and what type of situation you’re dealing with can help you determine the best way to keep your basement dry. Your basement might have just one of these issues, or you might be struggling with two or three.

• Humidity: Because basements are naturally cooler in the summer, the humid summer air condenses in the basement and creates moisture. This generally isn’t an issue unless a lot of outside air circulates through the basement.
• Wet spots: After rainfall or snowmelt, the water table rises and hydrostatic pressure builds up along the walls and floor of the basement, which can cause wet spots to show in the floor or water to leak through cracks in the foundation.
• Flooding: Flooding can also occur after heavy rain or snowmelt. This might occur if sewer systems or drains back up, if water moves towards the foundation due to an incorrect grade, if gutters are defective or downspouts don’t use extenders, and more.

With these situations in mind, let’s take a look at how to keep your basement in Michigan dry. Remember, different levels of moisture and different situations will require different interventions.

How to Keep Your Basement Dry in Michigan

Dehumidifier

You might notice excess humidity or moisture in your basement, particularly during the summer months. Running a dehumidifier in the basement can help reduce the moisture in the area and help prevent mold growth and other issues. You could buy and place a dehumidifier yourself, however it will likely require daily or twice-daily emptying to continue working properly. With installation from a professional, your dehumidifier can connect directly to your sump pump or another drainage outlet, so you don’t have to worry about emptying it, and it will continue to work if you are away.

French Drains

A French drain system is one of the best ways to keep your basement dry in Michigan. This system redirects groundwater away from your home using trenches, either around the interior or exterior basement walls, and reduces the hydrostatic pressure. The Hydroflo French drain system uses a large pipe and allows for precise grading to the discharge system, usually a sump pump. This system is capable of preventing even severe flooding issues.

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Repair Yard Grade / Slope

If your surrounding yard slopes towards your home, water will move towards your foundation and sit around it when it rains. This water will then squeeze through pores or cracks in the concrete, causing a wet basement. If rainfall or snowmelt drains towards your home, re-grading the slope can help. A 5% slope away from the home is ideal. The previously mentioned French drain system will also help if altering the grade is not an option.

Clean Gutters, Extend Downspouts

Clogged gutters can cause rainfall to collect in particular areas, and prevent the water from moving away from the home properly. Keep in mind that a 2,000 square foot house undergoing one inch of rainfall will have 1,250 gallons of water fall on the roof. If this water isn’t draining properly, it can cause problems. In addition, if the downspouts are too close to the home, the water will seep through the soil and collect around the basement walls, once again introducing hydrostatic pressure. Extending downspouts so the water drains away from the house can help.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing

Exterior basement waterproofing is one of the best ways to fully protect your basement from leaks and flooding. Exterior basement waterproofing works in ways that are similar to your roof; you don’t put shingles on your ceiling to protect against water, you put them on the outside. This process is similar, but for your basement. Using a mini excavator, we clear the space around the basement and then install a triple wall drain tile and a reinforced vapor barrier. This not only allows the water to drain towards the sump pump and away from the house, but the vapor barrier also prevents water from seeping through the concrete. For finished basements, this is one of the best ways to keep your space dry and free of flooding.

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Keeping your basement dry in Michigan can seem like a challenge, especially when spring and summer storms hit. However, the right interventions can permanently prevent flooding and moisture in your basement. If you’re tired of flooding and looking for trusted solutions, contact us today. Give us a call at 1-800-782-9379 or send us a message to get a free estimate for basement waterproofing services.