A prevalent threat to all structures is also incredibly common: water. Just a bit of moisture can damage your home’s insulation, wood, and concrete. Thus, the sooner that you catch and stop seepage, the more damage you will prevent. Do not wait until water undermines your home’s foundations – reach out to Drainage & Erosion Solutions as soon as possible. Our drainage services and options – including basement waterproofing, French drains, and foundation repair – protect homes against nature’s harshest forces throughout Northern Virginia.
How Moisture Affects Your Home
Part of our work is teaching homeowners about the signs and dangers of water seepage. We always note that its early indicators – a musty smell, a humid climate – can appear almost anywhere in your home. However, other signs depend on where the moisture creeps in.
Water’s most frequent points of entry are along a foundation. Given enough time, water can open cracks and fissures in the concrete that composes this infrastructure. It may also rot wooden structures or fixtures.
Beyond this damage, water also encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Its presence attracts bacteria-ridden insects and rodents as well.
Places to Look – Inside Your Home
With these hazards in mind, let us consider some of the spots inside your home that are vulnerable to water damage. Recall that the potential for seepage (as well as the waterproofing solution that we provide) depends on your home’s setting and design:
- Basement or crawl space: as mentioned above, foundations are a common seepage point for water. Thus, homeowners should check their basement and crawl space (the interior side of foundations) for cracks, fissures, or other signs of infiltration.
- Wall space around windows and doors: if sealed incorrectly, window and door frames offer entry points for moisture. It can seep in between the window’s sash and jamb or through the wall’s studs around a frame, rotting the materials therein.
- Behind drywall: if water ever reaches above your home’s flooring level, check both outside and inside its walls for damage. Water that penetrates drywall can seep into insulation and reach electrical outlets.
Places to Look – Outside Your Home
Now, let us go outside and look for further vulnerable places. Again, warning signs differ from home to home, and you should always contact an expert if you suspect that a problem exists.
- The area around foundations: damage to foundations may also appear on their exterior. Again, cracks indicate weakness, but also look for pooled water around foundations. This may indicate that your property requires regrading or a drainage installation.
- Under exterior siding: although house siding should protect homes from water damage, it comes in paneling that may leave gaps. Water can seep into such spaces, which may open at house corners.
- Exterior door threshold: as mentioned above, doors and windows may allow moisture in. Door thresholds suffer constant exposure to water – and so may lose their seal.
Get Award-Winning Waterproofing Solutions Now in Arlington, VA
Despite the seepage challenges that Arlington homeowners face, they have a local resource: Drainage & Erosion Solutions. Clients highly recommend our reliable waterproofing solutions and landscape consulting services. And no matter the magnitude of problems, we can protect your home from wastewater and storms. Call us at (703) 534-1949 or fill out our online form to learn more about our services!
