Basement floor seepage is common in Westmont, IL. Learn what causes it, how to recognize early signs, and what you can do to protect your home from water damage.
Basement moisture is one of the most frequent issues faced by Westmont homeowners. With clay-heavy soil, seasonal rains, and freeze-thaw cycles, homes in the area are particularly vulnerable to groundwater pressure. One of the most telling signs? Water rising directly through the basement floor.
Understanding what causes this type of seepage can help you act early—before water damage, mold, or structural problems set in.
The number one cause of water coming up through a basement floor is hydrostatic pressure. This occurs when the ground surrounding your foundation becomes saturated with water. The pressure forces moisture upward, where it seeks the path of least resistance—often through cracks, floor seams, or porous concrete.
Westmont’s soil type only makes this worse. Clay holds water longer than other soils, and during periods of rain or snowmelt, it can remain waterlogged for days or weeks. Without proper drainage, this pressure builds beneath your home.
Even minor cracks in your basement floor can allow water to seep through. As your home settles or the soil beneath it shifts, stress causes the concrete to crack. These cracks, even when small, create channels for water to rise through during heavy rain or when the water table is elevated.
In older Westmont homes, cracks may also form at cold joints—places where different sections of concrete were poured separately. These are especially prone to seepage without proper waterproofing or sealing.
Newer homes are often built with a vapor barrier beneath the concrete slab—a thick plastic sheet that prevents moisture from the ground from entering. However, many older homes in Westmont were built without this feature.
Without a vapor barrier, moisture from the soil slowly migrates through the slab. Over time, this leads to consistent dampness, efflorescence, and musty odors—even if you never see standing water.
A drain tile system relieves water pressure around and beneath your foundation. When one isn’t present—or is clogged or broken—there’s no way to redirect groundwater. That water then pushes its way up through the basement floor, especially at the perimeter.
Homes without interior drain tile systems are far more likely to experience seepage from below. Westmont basements with standing water after heavy storms often lack this vital defense.
In some parts of Westmont, the natural water table is relatively close to the surface. This means the ground becomes saturated more quickly and stays that way longer, especially during spring or after long periods of rain.
When the water table rises above the level of your basement slab, seepage becomes almost inevitable—unless you have a drainage system in place to manage it.
If your home has a sump pump but you’re still seeing water on the basement floor, it may not be functioning properly. A sump pump that can’t keep up with water flow—or fails altogether—will leave groundwater with nowhere to go.
In homes with interior drain tile, a faulty pump means the system can’t remove collected water, allowing it to back up and rise through the slab.
Catching seepage early is key to preventing water damage and mold. Even before water appears, you may notice:
If any of these signs are present, it’s a good idea to have your basement professionally inspected.
The good news is that most floor seepage problems in Westmont homes can be resolved—or avoided entirely—with the right waterproofing strategies:
Addressing the cause—not just the symptoms—is the only way to keep seepage from coming back.
At Accu-Dry, we’ve helped homeowners across Westmont stop water from rising through their basement floors. Our team performs a full assessment to identify the root cause of your seepage, whether it’s pressure, cracks, drainage failure, or all of the above.
We offer:
We’ll guide you through the best option for your home—no pressure, no guesswork.
Water seeping through your basement floor is more than a nuisance—it’s a signal that something needs to be fixed. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more likely you’ll face damage to your home, health concerns, and higher repair costs.
Contact Accu-Dry today to schedule a free inspection. We’ll help you get ahead of the problem and keep your Westmont basement dry for the long haul.
