The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Care And Repair Of The House
Foundation Walls And Basements
1. REMEDYING A DAMP OR WET CELLAR
In general, there are two classes of cellars where wetness prevails all or part of the time. First, those which may be classed as damp, where the walls and floors seem to "sweat" and where moisture runs down the walls. This damp condition is more pronounced during long, wet periods. Second, the cellar into which water flows freely during heavy rainfall or when snow is melting rapidly, resulting in a flooded condition.
Frequent Causes of Damp Cellars.
In the first or damp type the difficulty is sometimes caused by penetration of moisture through the walls and floor because of improper sub drainage. More often, however, the damp condition is due to condensation of moisture on chilled wall surfaces.
Flooding will be found, in most cases, to be caused by defective walls, careless back filling, or improper grading around the walls, which allows surface water to pass into the cellar.
In any case, the condition of the walls themselves should be examined in order to detect cracks or loose mortar, and repairs should be made in accordance with instructions contained in section 2 of this chapter (pp. 10 to 11).
Diverting Surface Water from Foundation Walls.
Since wet cellars often result from water penetrating the walls or floors, provision should be made to carry off this water before it comes in contact with the foundation.
Water from eaves should be carried away by adequate gutters, conductors, and down spouts. The down spouts should be connected to a drain emptying into a storm sewer, dry well, open water course, or other suitable outlet. (Many communities prohibit the draining of surface water into sanitary sewers.) Where down spouts are not so connected, it is advisable to place a spatter board or splash block of good size at the outlet to throw the roof water away from the wall.
Quick shedding of water is essential and in many cases this may be accomplished by proper grading. The usual method is to place additional filling against the cellar wall and grade it down to a sharp, smooth slope that extends at least 8 or 10 feet from the wall. The slope should be sown with good lawn grass seed or sodded, and then rolled firmly and evenly. If necessary to grade above the cellar window sills, a curved or rectangular area wall of concrete or brick should be built around them. Hinged covers for closing the openings during heavy rains or snow may also be provided. In any case it is advisable to provide some means of drainage for these ground depressions and to place a protecting grill or grating over the opening.
