Signs of a Leaky Basement

Many of the homes in our area have basements. Basements offer great space to use for any number of things. You could finish it and have additional living space, or even an apartment that you can rent out. Or you can simply use it for storing the necessities like your water heater, your oil burner, and your washer and dryer. One thing that basements are simply not meant to be is a swimming pool. If you’ve ever had a flood in your basement, you know what we mean. Even if you’ve never had a full-blown flood, you could still be having accumulated water damage from small leaks. Read on for some of the clues to know that you have a leaky basement so that you can get it fixed ASAP and go back to having a dry, usable space.

Clues From The Structure

If you’ve got water coming into your basement, eventually you’re going to notice the effects of it in your walls and other structural components. Even if the walls themselves are not getting wet, small ground leaks, issues with drainage systems, and excessive water in the ground underneath your foundation can still cause issues. During the winter, the water has a freeze thaw cycle and even during the summer the rising and falling off the water table could lead to expansion and contraction of the cement pad or foundational elements of your home. You may notice bowing walls, large cracks, or other evidence of shifts to the foundation. If you see those, it’s time to call professional.

Clues In The Air

Basements are usually described as damp or dank unless you have already done basement waterproofing and finished it. If that mustiness is the predominant quality of your basement, however, it’s due to water damage. Any dampness in the air and/or musty smells indicate that you have a water issue somewhere. Dampness is a sign of humidity: you want your basement to feel more like your living room – you don’t want to not be able to tell the difference between the interior and exterior humidity. Musty smells are the telltale sign of an emerging or ongoing mold and mildew problem. If you notice it, it is time to get in front of the issue before it becomes a huge problem.

Clues All The Walls

Finally if the water damage is happening within or behind the walls, you’re going to see the effects of it. There may be staining or obvious wet spots on the walls, especially drywall. Or if your walls are concrete, you may just notice that they look shimmery or glistening. That’s an indication that they’re wet. If your walls are wet, your basement is leaking.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality!

When it comes to finding the best solution for your crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing needs, contact All Aspect Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420.  To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Houzz.