In the last year or so, the water table in the Red Oak area was fast approaching its highest level in two decades. This high water table frequently spells trouble since a great deal of Red Oak homes have basements rather than slab foundations. In order to avoid disruptive basement floods, it’s important to know what you can do to combat rising water table levels in your area.

Here are some steps you can take to keep your basement safe and dry:

Search & Discover Any Existing Cracks

Finding the origin of the leakage or seepage is the first step in making sure your basement isn’t continually at risk with a rising water table. The most common way water finds its way into your home is through a non-structural crack that forms over time. Making sure your basement walls are free of these is the most vital step in the process, but if you find a visible crack somewhere there are a few ways you can proceed.

Seal Any & All Visible Cracks

This is a no-brainer. There are a few steps involved in this process, but any licensed and experienced waterproofing contractor should be able to handle the situation with ease. From clearing and cleaning out the crack to applying a fast-curing epoxy and expanding polyurethane, this should fill the open space and stop any more water from entering your home.

Implement An Interior Drain Tile System

Drain tile systems, also known as French Drains, are applied when filling or sealing cracks isn’t a viable option. This method is often used when there is evidence of cove seepage, which just means the water is sneaking in through the joint between the floor and the wall. This approach relieves the ground water pressure while also draining the water away from inside of the house.

Exterior Waterproofing Membrane

This could be seen as a preventive step as well as something you do after discovering water within your home’s basement. This coating is applied on the outside of the foundation walls of your home and adds an extra thick barrier that is virtually impossible for water to penetrate through. This option is often used in combination with the drain tile system as added protection.

Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps

If our high water table is causing you to experience more than just the occasional basement flood, you may want to install a sump pump or ejector pump. Sump and ejector pumps are used to remove large amounts of water quickly, and are ideal for homes built on lower grades where drainage issues can combine with a rising water table to create frequent basement floods.

No matter what the issue you’re facing in your home’s basement, it’s essential to take precautionary steps to keep it dry for years to come. If you’ve unfortunately found water in your Red Oak home’s basement, the only way to proceed is by hiring a professional to handle the clean up and get your basement space back on track.