My Basement Floor Is Rising

The cause of the damage can vary based on the type of basement you have and what floor material you use.

My basement floor is rising.

When the soil heaving really gets invasive is when interior framed walls load bearing and or non load bearing get pushed upwards affecting the main floor framing system. Painting your basement floor waterproofs your home and protects it from mold and fungal growths. Rising groundwater causes hydrostatic pressure and that causes soil to push on your basement walls and floor. If the cause of the lifting is determined to be acclimation removing or lifting the baseboards is one solution that can help to relieve this pressure and allow the floor to return to normal.

Laminate basement flooring precautions. Some causes have easy fixes such as replacing certain parts of the flooring. If you notice humps bumps ridges or bulges in your basement floor these could be signs of serious damage beneath the surface. If your basement is in the way and there are structural deficiencies or cracks in the concrete then your basement becomes the path of least resistance and the groundwater goes there.

As the water table rises the amount of hydrostatic pressure increases. Seepage is when your basement floor gets some little rivulets and puddles of water usually no deeper than 1 4 to 1 2 deep which soaks and ruins the carpet in the finished portion of a basement. 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. If the water in your basement seems to be only near the exterior foundation walls then the problem is likely surface water that isn t draining away properly.

Choose the right materials. Water pressing up underneath the floor in cases such as this there can be an extremely high amount of pressure pushing upwards on the basement floor from the water that actually lifts the floor upwards. This pressure can also cause the basement floor and walls to crack. The paint seals the concrete and prevent rising damp while providing your basement floor with a non skid surface.

Most traditional laminates are made with a waterproof surface layer a decorative layer and then fiberboard backing this backing is what is susceptible to moisture and if it comes in contact with liquids it can warp twist rot and start to grow mold and mildew. In one case the homeowner drilled a hole in this floor and water shot upwards through the hole to hit the ceiling. Make sure to not only contact your laminate flooring retailer but also the flooring manufacturer as well as your flooring installer if you didn t do the installation yourself. Water near exterior foundation wall or stains on foundation wall.