Why would there be water in a basement?

- Groundwater infiltration: If the water table in your area is high, groundwater can seep into your basement through the foundation walls. This is especially likely to occur if your basement is below grade, meaning that it is lower than the surrounding ground level.

- Surface water infiltration: Water can also enter your basement through cracks in the foundation, window frames, or doors. This is especially likely to occur during periods of heavy rain or flooding.

- Plumbing leaks: Leaks in water supply lines, drains, or sewage pipes can also cause water to accumulate in the basement.

- Condensation: If your basement is not properly ventilated, moisture can condense on the walls and floor, leading to water damage.

- Efflorescence: This is the formation of a white crystalline deposit on the walls of the basement. It is caused by the evaporation of water that contains dissolved minerals.

- Rising damp: Rising damp occurs when water rises up through the capillaries of the soil and into the basement walls. It can be caused by a high water table, poor drainage, or a lack of a damp-proof membrane.