When we think about water damage in a basement, our first thought is usually flooding. But even if you don’t have a flood, there can still be water damage after heavy rain. At Global Basement Waterproofing, we know how important it is to know the signs of water damage in your basement. It’s easy to shrug it off because it’s the basement. But if not dealt with, minor water damage can lead to flooding and serious issues with your foundation.
Here’s how to identify the signs of water damage in your basement.
Puddles
Even if it’s not a full-on flood, water in your basement is never a good sign. If you find puddles or standing water in the basement, the water is getting in somewhere. Whether or not the initial damage was caused by water, water damage is certainly in your basement’s future if you don’t do something about it right away.
Musty Smells
If your basement smells musty that means that something is growing somewhere. Basements are fantastic at trapping moisture and creating conditions for mold and mildew growth. When your basement smells musty, that means that moisture is staying inside and unpleasant things are growing. It’s important to deal with this problem because basement water damage leads to foundational issues and mold and mildew are health risks.
Cracks and Stains
Other than puddles, cracks and stains on your basement walls are the most obvious sign that your basement has water damage. Many things can cause cracks, but they let water in no matter how they happened. Cracks also create a place for things like mold to grow. If you see stains on the walls, that means water is getting into the walls and damaging them.
Flaking Paint
If you have painted plaster or wallboard in your basement, flaking paint means that the wall behind it is getting wet. When the wallboard gets wet it swells and pushes the paint out. When it dries, the surface the paint was touching retracts. If the surface the paint was on changes shape, the paint starts to flake away.
Water damage in your basement? Call Global Basement Waterproofing.
If you have seen any of these signs in your basement, give Global Basement Waterproofing a call. We’ll identify how the water is getting in, repair the damage, and take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Water damage in a basement can require foundation repairs down the line, so it’s something you want to deal with immediately.
