As houses settle, concrete develops stress cracks that leak water. The exterior foundation damp-proofing or tar quickly disintegrates or separates, leaving the wall surface open to attack by moisture. Water also corrodes imbedded steel, which rusts, expands, and cracks the concrete. A rainstorm or melting snow temporarily raises the groundwater level. When water accumulates around the foundation, hydrostatic pressure builds up and causes the basement to leak. Clay-rich soils do not drain well and maintain water levels around the foundation walls. Water pushes its way inside through any cracks, joints, or larger pores in the concrete. Water will always travel along the path of least resistance — your cracked wall! Finally, let’s not forget about window-wells which can hold pools of water that eventually filter through small concrete cracks around the basement windows and into the basement itself. Interior damage resulting by flooded window-wells is an all too common occurrence.