Issues with High Water Tables

When you think about a basement you probably think about a damp, dark basement. Luckily most basements aren't like that anymore!  Through the use of sump pumps and other forms of waterproofing, basements have become much more habitable.

Before we dive in, we'll describe what a high water table is. It refers to when during a heavy rain or sometimes just during normal weather, the amount of water around your foundation is extreme. This can cause moisture seeping through cracks in the basement or causing stains in the foundation walls.

This can affect radon mitigation because when we install our systems, we core drill a 5" hole through the concrete to gain access to the dirt underneath the soil where we dig out some dirt. Then we run our pipe and attach a fan to apply suction. If the water table is too high and moisture begins to fill that hole then it stops our airflow and can cause a loud gurgling sound.

If there is a high water table like this, the best things to do are to make sure that your downspouts are run away from the house and not just terminated at the foundation wall. Also make sure that your gutters are clear so that the water can run freely. Another technique is to build up some soil around your foundation and slope the ground away from your house so that the water runs away. But the most effective, yet often most expensive fix is to install footer drains and a sump pump. The footer drains will gather the excessive amounts of water around your basement and run it into the sump pit, at that point the pump will bring that water outside where the it is often tied into the downspout drain in the yard.

Not only will these techniques help to increase the value and level of comfort in your home but it will also help to increase the efficiency of a mitigation system!