Water is one of the biggest enemies of a basement. Anyone with a basement would not like to see water or moisture in their basements and rightly so. Water can cause a lot of damage not only to the integrity of your foundation but also to the property you store in your basement.
If you’re concerned about the state of your basement, it is important to understand what hydrostatic pressure is.
What is hydrostatic pressure?
Hydrostatic pressure is a term used to describe the force exerted by water resulting from the total weight of the water. It is a result of the pull of gravity on the water. The pressure increases as the depth of the water increases.
Hydrostatic pressure is also experienced by water in the soil surrounding your foundation. When it rains, water is absorbed by the soil. The water in the soil exerts pressure as a result of the volume of water absorbed. This pressure is exerted against your foundation walls.
Hydrostatic pressure can also result from water that is already in the soil i.e. groundwater. The amount of hydrostatic pressure exerted on your basement walls will depend on the water table i.e. the level of groundwater. If your house is located near a large water body for example, the water table in the ground is likely to be very high..
Why you should be concerned about hydrostatic pressure?
You ought to be concerned about hydrostatic pressure as it has a serious effect on your foundation walls. Hydrostatic pressure can exert a force of about 60 pounds per cubic foot. The total amount of pressure on your foundation will depend on the level of saturation of the soil surrounding the basement.
The pressure can amount to tens of thousands of pounds for soil that is saturated with water.
With this type of pressure on your walls, even the smallest gap or crack can result in a lot of water leaking into your basement. It is similar to water leaking through a hole in a bucket.
Hydrostatic pressure is a part of nature. However, you can reduce its effects on the walls of your foundation by talking to a basement waterproofing contractor. He will guide you on the things you can do to prevent the buildup of pressure on your basement walls. He will also ensure that your basement is waterproof and therefore won’t allow water in.
Call our waterproofing experts to help you with your waterproofing needs.