What are the considerations when looking for the source of water in a basement?

Whether you're an insurance adjuster, a forensic engineer, or even just a homeowner, chances are, at some point you are going to be faced with the question "Where did this water in the basement come from?" Sometimes the answer is as clear as day, other times it's a bit more of a mystery. For those difficult to solve cases, here are some questions you can ask yourself to help solve the mystery:

1.??? Is it an Exterior Grading /drainage Issue?

a.??? Is moisture found during or after heavy rain?

b.??? Is moisture found while snow is melting?

c.??? Is the location of the moisture near an exterior wall?

d.??? Does the ground outside slope towards the structure or away from the structure?

?????????????? i.???? Is there a mound of garden mulch up against the side of the house that could trap water?

e.??? Is there an exterior storm drain located nearby?

??????????????? i.???? Is the drain clear of debris?

?????????????? ii.???? Is the drain properly located at a low point in the grade?

1.??? Has settlement occurred in the surrounding area leaving the drain at a highpoint?

2.??? Is it a Roof Drainage Issue?

a.???? Is moisture only found during or after heavy rain?

b.??? Does the roof slope down towards the side of building in which moisture is found?

c.??? Are the gutters working as intended?

?????????????????i.???? Are they level with no unintended low points (gutters should have a slight slope down to the downspout opening)??

?????????????????ii.???? Are there any holes or other mechanical defects in the gutters?

?????????????????iii.???? Are the gutters filled with debris that prevents the flow of water?

1.??? Are there trees close by that may have clogged the gutters at the time the claim was made?

????????????? iv.???? Are the gutters positioned correctly under the edge of the roof to properly catch runoff?

d.??? Assuming roof drainage issues are found, is the grade below such that water is likely to pool, or to runoff away from the house?

3.??? Is it a Fa?ade Defect?

a.???? Is moisture only found during or after heavy rain?

b.??? Are there signs that water is seeping down the basement wall from above the basement ceiling elevation?

c.??? Does siding above the moisture location have gaps or defects?

d.??? Are there gaps in sealant of construction joints in the area of the moisture?

e.??? Are the windows above the moisture location properly sealed?

4.??? Is it a Foundational Issue?

a.???? Is moisture found during or after heavy rain?

b.???? Is moisture found while snow is melting?

c.??? Are the basement walls seeping?

???????????????? i.???? Is the mortar between masonry units (brick, stone, cinderblocks, etc.) in good solid condition or is it compromised?

1.??? Is it soft and sandy?

2.??? Are there gaps?

3.??? Is there efflorescence (white streaks around the mortar indicating seepage and then evaporation) visible?

????????????????ii.???? Are stucco walls solid or are they crumbling?

??????????????? iii.???? Are there cracks in the wall?

d.??? Is differential settlement causing damage that allows moisture to enter?

??????????????????i.???? Is the floor on the first floor level or are there low points?

?????????????????ii.???? Is there drywall cracking? in the basement or the floors above?

????????????????iii.???? Do the doors in the house get stuck in the door jamb, indicating structural movement?

??????????????? iv.???? Are windows in the structure hard to open and close, indicating structural movement?

?????????????????v.???? Is exterior masonry cracked in a step pattern?

e.??? What’s the ground water table elevation?

????????????????? i.???? Is it possible the foundation was constructed below the ground water table elevation?

5.??? Is it a Basement Window Defect?

a.??? Is moisture found in the areas of the basement windows?

b.???? Are the windows properly sealed?

c.???? Does the window have any cracks?

d.???? Is the window located in a basement window well?

?????????????????? i.???? Are the edges of the window well raised above grade to prevent water from entering?

????????????????? ii.???? Does the window well have a cover that prevents water from entering?

????????????????? iii.???? Is there a drain at the bottom of the window well?

1.???? Is the drain clear of debris that might prevent water from draining?

6.??? Is it a Plumbing Defect?

a.???? Is moisture still found when the weather outside is dry?

b.??? Is there an inground sprinkler system at the house?

???????????????????i.???? Has it been functioning properly recently?

c.??? In a finished basement, are the water stains on the ceiling?

d.??? In an unfinished basement are there puddles on the ground away from exterior walls and under overhead pipes?

e.??? Can you see water dripping from a pipe?

f.????? Is the area of moisture located beneath a bathroom or the kitchen sink?

g.??? Is the moisture located close to a water heater, washing machine, or sink that could be leaking?

7.??? Is it a Sump Pump Failure?

a.??? Is the sump pit full of water?

b.??? Does the sump pump have a backup battery?

??????????????????i.???? Is the battery charged?

????????????????? ii.???? If not, did the insured lose power when moisture was found?

8.??? Is it an HVAC Defect?

a.??? What is the normal humidity level in the house?

????????????????? i.???? Does the insured leave the windows open regularly?

?????????????????ii.???? Does the insured run a humidifier in the house?

b.??? At what temperature does the insured keep their home?

c.??? Is there a condition in which low temperatures in the HVAC ducts and high humidity within the home might coexist to cause condensation around the air ducts?

9.??? Is it a Municipal Utility Defect?

a.??? Is water backing up in interior drains in tubs, showers, sinks, or toilets?

b.???? Does back up occur at times of heavy rainfall?

c.???? Is the moisture accompanied by an unpleasant smell?

10.? Maybe its something you’d never expect

a.??? Does the insured wash their car near the location of moisture?

b.??? Is there an inground pool that might be leaking?

c.??? Is there a hot tub that might be leaking?

d.??? Is there an above ground pool that might be leaking?

e.??? Does the insured run a humidifier?

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