How To Fix Hydrostatic Pressure In Basement Floor

Hydrostatic pressure describes the outward and downward pressure caused by standing water pushing against any object or surface that blocks it in this case your basement walls.

How to fix hydrostatic pressure in basement floor.

Hydrostatic pressure is a major cause of basement water problems potentially causing leaks or worse cracking and bowing of the foundation but it can be fixed and even prevented. The pull of gravity against standing water is relentless causing the water to push and push hard against anything that restricts its flow. Hydrostatic pressure describes the outward and downward pressure caused by standing water pushing against any object or surface that blocks it in this case your basement walls. Mar 28 2012 by matthew stock with barry schilling.

Once the drainage pipes are blocked the water table can rise and create hydrostatic pressure underneath the basement floor and along the walls. With a pressure of roughly 60 pounds per cubic foot the levels of pressure being forced onto the basement foundations is absolutely incredible which is why waterproof systems are important to. Floor cracks water can seep into a basement thru cracks that develop on the floor. Cove joint this is where the walls meet the floor and when hydrostatic pressure increases water can seep into your basement.

Foundation walls frequently water will seep over the top of the walls of the foundation. As the water table rises the amount of hydrostatic pressure increases. If there are gaps in the concrete floor such as cracks or where the basement floor meets the foundation wall the cove joint or seam between the foundation and the floor slab ground water is forced up through them and into your basement. When we first became homeowners we knew that certain pressures came with the job paying the mortgage fixing things that break or replacing things that really break.

Hydrostatic pressure and why a basement leaks. Water weighs slightly more than 60lbs. Ground water picks up soil sediment sand and mud as it travels down through the soil. Mortar joints a mortar joint is the area filled with mortar between concrete bricks or blocks.

Over time accumulations of sediment can block the drain pipes. This issue starts to build negative hydrostatic pressure around the basement which will eventually lead to a pretty vicious basement leak occurring. We probably didn t think much about something called hydrostatic pressure but many of us are dealing with its consequences. If the soil around your basement is saturated with water there could be tens of thousands of pounds of hydrostatic pressure against your foundation.

Hydrostatic pressure refers to a water pressure and is a major cause of basement water problems.