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There are many ways in which leaks and water damage can get into your home, and ruin your basement. Water looks for the path of least resistance, and finds the easiest points of entry to get into your home. Identifying warning signs of leaks can help you to do something about it sooner rather than later, before any more damage occurs.
Pipes, vents, ducts, and conduits are all required to enter the building at some point in order to connect your home to services like gas and water. But these pipe penetrations can create vulnerable spots where water can get in.
There are certain warning signs to look out for when checking your basement for leaks, and your pipe penetrations are definitely one of the places you should check. Have a look around all of your pipes, where they come into the interior of your home, usually in your basement.
You may notice water leaking around the pipe penetrations, or dark damp patches on the walls around the pipes. Water can even pool on your basement floor if the problem is really bad.
The best to time to check is after a heavy rainfall, so you can see whether your pipe penetrations are leaking at the worst of times.
When the pipes, conduits, and air ducts are installed in your home, usually during initial construction, they may only be sealed with some sort of temporary or inadequate patch. Over time, this seal breaks, and allows water to seep in around the pipes.
If water is pooling against the side of your home, or rising up due to hydrostatic pressure, then it will look for the path of least resistance. Pipe penetrations can sometimes be the weak point.
There are some DIY solutions available, such as sealants, which allow you to fill in the area around the pipe penetration. This can provide temporary relief, and stop water from seeping through the area. However, the sealant will again give way over time. Also, the water can find another path if the actual problem is not solved, and can leak through in other places.
It is best to seek professional advice if water is seeping through your pipe penetrations, or in any other points of entry in your foundations and basement.
Pipes, vents, ducts, and conduits are all required to enter the building at some point in order to connect your home to services like gas and water. But these pipe penetrations can create vulnerable spots where water can get in.
We can also provide full waterproofing solutions to stop water from pooling against your home in the first place, or to divert water using interior and exterior drainage systems. We have over 25 years experience waterproofing homes in Ontario. Contact us today to find out more, or to arrange a free consultation.
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