For many homeowners, particularly those with an unfinished basement, having a basement that looks, smells, or feels damp may not seem like a big deal. However, moisture in one’s basement is not a good thing as this can lead to serious complications later on. When a home’s basement is not properly waterproofed, and moisture is able to permeate the basement, this can lead to structural issues in your home. Here are a few of the signs you should look out for that can indicate that your home may be in need of a basement waterproofing system.
Musty Smell/Odor
Surprisingly, one of the more common signs of a leak in a basement is not visual signs of moisture, but actually, it is usually the presence of a musty, damp smell in one’s basement. Many homeowners assume that since their basement has always smelled this way that it is a normal occurrence. However, this is likely a sign of water seeping into your home over a long period of time. Furthermore, it could also be a potential indicator of the presence of mold in your home. No matter what the issue may be, these odors in your basement are not a good sign and need to be taken care of right away.
Cracked Walls or Floors
Should you discover cracks in your basement floor or walls, then it is likely that water is leaking into your home. Cracks compromise the waterproofing of your basement as they provide an easy way for water to enter your basement. Fortunately, these cracks can be fairly simple so repair; furthermore, this repair can be an easy way to improve the waterproofing in your home’s basement.
Signs of Moisture
Many signs can indicate that water is entering your basement. One of the more obvious signs many homeowners notice immediately is the presence of moisture within their basement, often in the form of water marks on their walls, and/or in the collection of water around their basement windows. This presence of water is a strong indicator that your basement is in need of waterproofing, as this moisture can lead to serious problems later on.
Mold
Another visual indicator of moisture in your basement is the presence of mold. Mold grows and thrives wherever there is moisture present. Thusly, discovering mold in your basement means that there is likely a leak in your basement that has allowed mold to grow in your home. If you discover mold in your basement, you will want to have mold remediation performed to properly remove the mold, as mold can be hazardous to one’s health. However, it will also be necessary to have your basement waterproofed to help prevent the mold from reappearing.
Efflorescence
Oftentimes, you could have a leak in your basement without seeing any visual signs of cracking or even moisture. In this case, you will want to look out for another sign of the presence of moisture in your basement, efflorescence. Efflorescence is a white, chalky substance that you may notice on your basement walls. Efflorescence is the result of mineral deposits that are left behind when water leaks into your basement. Thusly, efflorescence can indicate a crack or leak that you cannot immediately see.
A leak in your basement may not initially seem like a serious problem, however, this water can have disastrous effects on your home over time. Thusly, if you discover a sign that could indicate the presence of water in your basement, you will want to have the issue addressed as soon as possible before it becomes a bigger problem. Contact us to find out about more of the signs that can indicate that you may be in need of a basement waterproofing system.
