Effect of ground water on basement walls

Abstract

There are different ways that water can penetrate basement walls. If a ground-water table exists behind the basement wall, then the wall will be subjected to hydrostatic pressure, which can force large quantities of water through wall cracks or joints. Another way for moisture to penetrate basement walls is due to capillary action in the soil or the wall itself. A third way that moisture can penetrate through basement walls is by water vapor. The purpose of this paper is to describe a case history of water penetration of basement walls due to a rise in the ground-water table. -from Author