1.

Cracks and weak points develop in the foundation, and the original waterproofing fails. The result is water that can freely enter these cracks and weak points, and end up in your basement. The largest weak point exists all the way around your foundation where the wall and floor meet. There are 3 sections to a foundation: the wall, the footing (on which the wall sits), and the floor. There is a seam where these three sections meet. Water enters at this seam.

Concrete walls and floors expand and contract with temperature changes. This movement causes hairline cracks through which water can enter.

All homes go through a settlement process. Again, with the weight of the home on top, this settling creates movement, which causes hairline cracks in the walls and floor - another potential water area!

2.

The original coatings applied to the wall to protect it crack along with the wall itself, or wear away over time. The drainage tile placed along the foundation becomes clogged or crushed under the weight of the backfill, rendering it useless.

3.

Surface water running down along side the foundation is able to enter the foundation through the cracks and weak points discussed in number 1.

4.

Ground water reaches a saturation point and begins to rise upward, flooding the area under the foundation. Water is able to enter where the wall and floor meet, and through any other cracks or weak points that exist.

5.

As surface water coming from above meets rising ground water below, the ground around the foundation becomes saturated, creating water pressure. The pressure then forces the water through the cracks and weak points that exist in the walls, seam, and floor.