Basements are always a concern for homeowners. This is because, though they may be an excellent alternative for a lounging area, they always require some maintenance job. For homeowners, basements need constant attention, especially if their basements need to be waterproofed.
Always hunt for a good, well-kept basement when looking for a new house to buy. Purchasing a well-maintained basement can save you money and extra effort that would otherwise go into its upkeep. What is the best sign of a good basement? That it is dry because of good quality basement waterproofing.
There will inevitably come a time when their basement will get wet. This question is not of ‘if' but of ‘when.' Basements are prone to moisture and water leaks. Thus, when should you start getting concerned about your wet basement? And what should you be on the lookout for when buying a new home?
Read our article to find out.
Know if the house has a wet basement before you buy it.
If you're in the process of buying a property, really do your research. Ask relevant questions to your realtor. Questions like ‘Have the basement had any water damage issues in the past?' or ‘Is the basement fully waterproofed?' are a good start and give you an overview of what you're dealing with.
Paying for a whole house only to discover later that you'll spend more on wet basement issues is enough for anyone to get mad. Always be sure of what you're getting before you buy it. That is the best advice most of us wish we had gotten before our first purchase.
Signs of a wet basement
Before inspecting the basement, you should know precisely what you want. Check the walls for signs of water damage. A variety of reasons can cause water damage in a basement. The washing machine leaking, water leaking into the basement after heavy rain, and any moisture that may not have been aired out are all examples of how water build-up happens in basements.
Here's what you should specifically be looking out for:
Moldy streaks or spots
Be on the lookout for mold at all times. Every type of mold is bad for your health and home. Mold can grow in various colors; these include green, black, brown, or even yellow. If it's developing in the same place as where water damage happened 24 to 48 hours earlier, you can make a fair estimate that it is mold. However, you can only be sure if a professional inspects and tests it. Water damage prevention is needed if the property is in bad condition.
Surface Spalling
If there is salt in the water, surfaces frequently peel away, especially if they are made of brick, stone, or concrete. Spalling happens when moisture tries to escape from concrete, commonly when concrete is heated fast.
Signs of Efflorescence
This name comes from the French word “blossoming out,” which results in white or grey ash on the walls. Although it may seem chalky at first glance, it can also dazzle. The salt residues left over from evaporating water create efflorescence.
Potential causes of wet basements
The groundwater will seep through foundations and floors, typically brought on by heavy rain or runoff water. Gutters frequently overflow due to heavy rainfall, poor installation, and/or debris inside the gutter clogging it up.
Second-floor gutters could also discharge into first-floor gutters. Plus, they can easily overflow if frozen and then abruptly defrost. Problems might be brought on by loose downspouts or downspouts that aren't long enough to move the water away from home.
Inadequate grading or landscaping can also be a problem since they direct water toward the home rather than away from it, where it can seep into the foundation and cause problems.
Condensation frequently forms throughout the pipes in environments with high humidity, particularly when HVAC systems lack release valves. If the house's walls run straight from the attic to the basement, water from the roof could also leak inside.
Possible solutions to a wet basement
Depending on your specific case, there can be the following solutions for How to stop water from seeping through the basement:
Installing a french drain
A homeowner's top priority is always to keep their home as dry as possible. Regardless of the method, water still finds its way into homes. The installation of French drains, a crucial component of water damage restoration, is a solution to every problem.
Using a dehumidifier
How much water vapor in the air is referred to as humidity. While a certain level of moisture is thought to be beneficial for an area, too much may be uncomfortable. Increased air moisture can promote the formation of mold and poor indoor air quality, which can cause furniture and other wooden elements to deteriorate. Thankfully, you can control the humidity levels in your house with high-quality dehumidification.
Conclusion
There you have it! All you need to know is how to fix water coming through the basement floor. We hope you learned something new by reading this guide. If you're facing any water damage issues and want a permanent solution, contact Zavza Seal LLC today. You can call them today for a free estimate!
