6 Warning Signs of an At-Risk Basement

 

It might not be what you expect, but many basements hold a genuine monster: moisture. While all basements have some level of moisture in the air, inordinate levels can damage homes and herald potential basement flooding. Thus, homeowners should learn the signs of excessive basement moisture: musty smells, mold growth, water stains, and more. If you discover these indicators in your basement, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional house waterproofing service.

 

For quick and reliable assistance, turn to NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair. Since 1986, we’ve provided wet basement solutions, drainage installation, foundation repairs, and more. We seek to create safe, dry homes through excellent craftsmanship and outstanding customer service. To give everyone access to these benefits, we offer financing options through our website. Contact us today and learn more about our services and support!

 

Below, we describe the warning signs of excessive moisture in your basement, which signify a risk of flooding:

1. Musty Smell

Everyone who enters your home breathes air from its basement. Consider the physics of airflow and architectural design: warm air rises through each floor then escapes through the upper levels. Simultaneously, outdoor air enters the basement to replace the escaped air. This current–or stack effect–conveys basement air throughout your home.

 

Thus, whatever occurs in your basement influences the rest of your home, including the effects of moisture. Musty smells, then, can spread throughout your house from the basement. Plus, those smells arise from a dangerous source: mold.

2. Mold

Mold can grow anywhere with organic materials and moisture, which is why it remains a pernicious issue in homes across the nation. Humid basements, in particular, are ideal environments for mold to grow without detection. Worse yet, mold threatens the inhabitants of the homes it grows in.

 

The stack effect that carries musty smells upstairs can do the same with the spores that create mold. Once upstairs, mold can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems in your home’s occupants.

 

However, NV Waterproofing technicians can prevent mold growth by controlling your basement’s humidity level. We must assess your basement’s condition and the sources of its moisture problems; then, we can recommend sets of products to keep your basement dry. To prevent excessive moisture levels that support mold growth, we’ll probably recommend a SaniDry™ dehumidifier & air system.

3. Efflorescence & Water Stains

A white, chalky powder found on basement walls and floors, efflorescence is composed of minerals from concrete, mortar, and soil. These substances dissolve in water, and–when moisture seeps onto a surface and evaporates–it leaves the minerals behind. Their presence in your basement indicates that water has penetrated the space.

 

Although often confused with mold, efflorescence is neither a living substance nor dangerous. Its appearance, however, is a sign that your basement’s waterproofing has failed.

 

4. Condensation on Windows

One question our technicians hear from time to time is “Why does my basement get so humid?” After all, warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, and warm air rises into the house. However, air’s relative humidity rises when cooled. Since basements are usually cold, the air that enters them condenses and raises the room’s relative humidity.

 

So, another indicator that moisture has seeped into your basement is condensation on windows (although condensation will also appear on a leaking window). Nevertheless, opening a window offers no climate control or release of humidity. Warm outside air brings in moisture, and cold outside air reduces the basement’s temperature.

5. Sticking Doors & Windows

If you’ve noticed that doors and windows in your home seem to “stick” during periods of the year, you can blame it on basement moisture. The stack effect brings humidity upstairs, which saturates door and window frames. The aperture’s movement is prohibited by the swollen frames, making doors and windows “stick.”

6. Standing Water and Leaks

Nothing announces moisture’s presence better than the liquid itself. If you ever find water pooling–or leaking from a crack–in your basement, call NV Waterproofing for service immediately. Puddles and cracks signal that your home has a significant moisture problem.

 

Water enters basements in one of four ways: groundwater leakage, capillary action, water vapor penetration, and exterior air leaks. Even if you see no standing water, excessive moisture may still be present in the form of a humid atmosphere. Nevertheless, standing water and leaking cracks indicate a significant source of moisture.

Comprehensive and Reliable House Waterproofing Services

You can take actionable steps to prevent moisture from entering your basement and creating problems throughout your home: reach out to NV Waterproofing and Foundation Repair. We specialize in professional house waterproofing services as well as wet basement solutions, crawl space repair, and more. No matter the size of your water problems, we offer top-notch products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at 1-703-690-3889 or visit our website for more information about our services.