It seems like such an absurd idea, but it could actually be the case that your leaking basement is caused by problems on the roof. Each time we explain this to property owners with leaking lower-level rooms or floors, we are met with a look of complete disbelief, and only when we stop the problem from happening (by fixing the problem on the roof) do they believe us.



HOW COULD A ROOF CAUSE A LEAKING BASEMENT?
The problem doesn't actually start with your roof; it starts with your guttering on the roof. That gutter system is vital to ensure that water is directed away from the property. If the guttering is broken, leaking, or missing, water is not being directed away, and this could result in standing water, water flowing freely into an area it shouldn’t, and more. One of the simplest ways for your roof and guttering to cause a leak in your basement is with downspouts that release the water too close to the foundations of the building. If the downspout just runs straight down the vertical wall, dumping rainwater right at the bottom, it's only going to be a matter of time before there is enough of a buildup to cause serious problems -- a leak that manages to penetrate the basement or ground floor, water damage, the rise of black mold, etc.

The easiest way to stop that problem from happening is by extending the downspout so that it DOESN’T dump rainwater right next to your home. Instead, it directs water a few feet away, preferably towards a drain or similar. This is something you could easily install yourself during the weekend, but is also a task that professional roofing contractors will also complete. At the same time, they can make sure that the rest of the guttering is in tip-top condition, with no predicted large-scale events int he near future. Sometimes, paying out for the professionals is worth it for the peace of mind alone!

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