10 Steps to Check Your Basement for Water Damage.

Unexpected water in your basement can damage walls and floors, destroy carpeting, ruin furniture and lead pretty quickly to mold. Water damage can really wreak havoc in your home and perhaps the most upsetting of all: water downstairs can ruin irreplaceable items like photo albums, antiques, and family heirlooms.

The key is to get the water before it gets you. A small leak might not seem like a very big problem but you might end up with extensive flooding and water damage if you allow it to continue over a long period of time. Once the problem has become extensive you might find that it takes up a lot of time and money in order to resolve the problem.

First you want to make sure that leaking is not coming from inside the basement. Look at the plumbing, HVAC, hot water heater, washer/dryer, dehumidifier to see if there is any leaking in these areas. Once those sources have been eliminated, we can check for water intrusion from the outside.

Let’s look for some of the signs that indicate leakage. They can assist in indicating what type of problem you are having and can also help in locating the source of leakage.

1. Peeling Paint...Paint peeling from basement walls can be caused by water evaporating behind it.
2. Staining on Carpets …Can indicate past leakage. This is true when locations are near foundation walls.
3. Warped or Damaged Paneling…Can indicate past water absorption, due to leakage.
4. Insects and Bugs…Look for evidence of small insects along the baseboards, behind sofas, in corners, etc. Some types of insects gravitate towards areas of moisture.
5. Wet spots on walls…This is a result of capillary action, the water absorbing into the wall from outside.
6. Dry rot…Wood that has previously been dried lumber, such as your basement stairs, that is decaying. Usually indicated by a dark stained look or wood that is splitting apart.
7. Rust Stains...Sometimes seen on concrete floors and carpet, usually due to rusted metal feet on furniture. Rust on baseboards, electrical boxes, etc., all indicate evidence of past moisture.
8. Efflorescence…A whitish mineral deposit which is visible on masonry surfaces is the result of water passing through the wall.
9. Mold/Mildew…Usually located on or near, an area that has seen prolonged moisture, giving the mold a chance to grow. This is often associated with an unpleasant odor.
10. Dampness/Staining around Floor Cracks…Can indicate that water is forcing itself up through the cracks, due to pressure, water table, etc.

Check carefully for the appearance of any of these 10 major danger signs that suggest your basement is being undermined by water.

Basements can also become riddled with moisture if they are not properly ventilated. In order to ensure that the area is properly ventilated you will need to install a ventilation system such as the E-Z Breathe Ventilation System.

Water damage can cause you many problems in your home. Not only is this an inconvenience but it can also have negative effects on your health. Basements are dark and, when you add that to the damp, they tend to develop mold which can cause serious problems for you or your family. The best way to prevent negative consequences from occurring is to ensure that you are aware of the measures you can take to prevent them from happening in your home. For your peace of mind, call a professional Basement Waterproofing Contractor to get an inspection.