Water coming up through your basement floor in Westmont, IL? Learn the causes of this common problem and how to stop it with proper drainage and waterproofing solutions.
If you’ve noticed damp spots, small puddles, or water seeping through cracks in your basement floor, you’re not alone. Many Westmont homeowners deal with this frustrating issue, especially during heavy rain or snowmelt. But why is it happening—and what can you do about it?
Understanding the causes of water rising through basement floors is the first step toward finding the right solution. In most cases, it has less to do with the concrete itself and more to do with the pressure underneath it.
The most common culprit is hydrostatic pressure. This occurs when the soil around your foundation becomes saturated with water. As the water builds up, it pushes downward and sideways against your basement walls and floor. When that pressure exceeds the strength of the concrete slab, water finds its way inside—usually through joints, seams, or cracks.
In Westmont, our dense clay soil holds water longer than sandy or loamy soil. After a few days of rain, the ground can become so saturated that water has nowhere to go—except up.
Even small cracks in the basement floor can become entry points for groundwater. Over time, soil movement, settling, or freeze-thaw cycles can cause these cracks to widen. When pressure builds, water follows the path of least resistance—right through the floor.
In older Westmont homes, you may also have cold joints (where different concrete pours meet) or gaps where the floor meets the wall. These are common seepage points if no drainage system is in place.
If your home doesn’t have a drain tile system or sump pump, rising groundwater has no controlled exit path. Instead of being redirected away from the foundation, it’s forced upward through the basement floor. Homes without vapor barriers beneath the slab are especially vulnerable, as there’s nothing preventing moisture from traveling directly into the living space.
In some parts of Westmont, the natural water table is higher than in other areas. This means groundwater sits closer to the foundation all year round, increasing the risk of basement seepage—particularly after storms or during spring thaw.
Some signs are obvious—others more subtle. Look for:
Even if the water seems minimal, consistent floor seepage can damage flooring, ruin stored items, and impact indoor air quality.
It’s tempting to patch a floor crack with waterproof caulk or apply a surface coating, but these are temporary fixes at best. If hydrostatic pressure is the problem, water will simply find another way in—often worsening the issue elsewhere.
Surface repairs don’t relieve the pressure beneath the slab. They only mask the symptoms without addressing the cause.
The most effective solution for water rising through the basement floor is installing an interior drain tile system. This system involves cutting a narrow trench along the inside perimeter of the basement, placing a perforated drain pipe in gravel, and connecting it to a sump pump.
This setup intercepts groundwater before it can rise into your home, relieving hydrostatic pressure and keeping the basement dry.
A properly sized and installed sump pump is key to removing collected groundwater. The pump activates automatically when the sump basin fills and discharges the water safely away from the foundation. Battery backups ensure the system keeps working during power outages.
Once pressure is under control, cracks in the slab can be filled with injection materials like epoxy or polyurethane. For added protection, a vapor barrier or sealant may be applied to the surface—especially in finished or partially finished basements.
At Accu-Dry, we’ve helped hundreds of Westmont homeowners stop water from coming up through their basement floors. We begin with a free inspection to assess the cause, identify problem areas, and recommend the right long-term solution.
Our team installs:
We tailor each system to match the soil conditions, water pressure, and structure of your home—not a one-size-fits-all fix.
Water rising through the basement floor isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a warning sign. Left untreated, it can lead to mold, structural damage, and costly repairs.Contact Accu-Dry today to schedule your free inspection in Westmont. We’ll help you understand what’s happening beneath your floor—and how to stop it for good.
