If your basement is wet all the time not only when it storms, it is probably due to hydrostatic pressure from external groundwater.
Hydrostatic pressure is the force the water exerts against your basement walls and floor when it tries to equalize itself. The deeper you go in the soil when it is wet to ground level, the greater the pressure. Your home acts much as a glass that is tipped upside down in a bucket of water. The water tries to push in from all sides.
Gravity pulls the water down and the more water there is, the greater the pressure. It pushes continuously until it is released or drains away. In some cases, this never happens. If you have a high water table, the pressure will always be there, seeking a way into your basement. Footer drain tiles both exterior and interior intercept this water, give it an easy way to drain always and relieve the pressure.
The water table is the level below which the ground is permanently saturated. Sometimes this will rise or fall depending on the amount of rain. This is especially true if the home is near a creek or small stream and it floods. The local water table will rise to the level of the creek temporarily for a day or so until the water recedes.
If you have basement leaks, look at the walls, seams and floor for cracks or holes which you may try plugging with hydraulic cement. Enlarge and clean the opening and undercut the edges to a dovetail shape using a masonry chisel. Clean the openings with a wire brush and water. Fill the cracks and holes with hydraulic cement which expands as it dries. It will dry quickly, usually in 5 to 15 minutes. Always wear gloves and a mask and follow the directions on the label carefully. Seal the seams between the floor and walls with a masonry sealant.
If this does not work, you may have to create a sump and install a sump pump or do more extensive perimeter drains installed in gravel inside the foundation footings. The sump pump pumps the water into an external downspout line or discharge line which takes it away from the house. You will want someone with experience in this field to assist you and may need a professional waterproofer.
As always, I wish you good fortune and success solving your waterproofing problems. Take a deep breath and try not to get discouraged if things don’t go quickly and easily, as is often the case. Don’t take it personally. Remember, nearly every solution which now exist was acquired by trial and error by someone who was frustrated before you. Persevere, you’ll get the job done and feel very good about it
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