FAQs
Why does heavy rain cause foundation cracks or basement leaks?
Michigan soil holds a lot of moisture, and when heavy rain saturates the ground quickly, the pressure against your foundation walls builds fast.
This hydraulic pressure — called hydrostatic pressure — forces water through:
- Existing hairline cracks in poured concrete or block walls
- The joint where your floor meets the wall
- Window wells that aren't draining properly
- Gaps around utility penetrations
Over time, repeated wet-dry cycles cause concrete to expand and contract, widening those cracks. What starts as a damp corner can become active seepage, efflorescence, and eventually structural compromise. If you're seeing water after rain, it won't improve on its own.
