You don’t have to be a certified expert or experienced professional to identify if your home is dealing with moisture intrusion and the consequences thereof. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms your home can present when water has begun to enter in where it is not wanted. If left unchecked, these problems can increase in magnitude, and eventually, cause a large amount of damage to your property and the structural integrity of your home in general. The following red flags are things to look for to help determine if you need to get help for water intrusion in your home:

Fungal/Mold Growth

Fungal/mold growth is one of the most commonly recognized signs of excessive moisture. Fungus/mold requires four things to be present in order to grow: fungal spores, organic material for food, a suitable temperatures range and water. All homes typically have at least 3 of the 4 conditions present at all times. Water/humidity levels is typically the one thing that can be best controlled to limit growth.

Condensation

It is normal for some condensation to form on the exterior surface of your windows. If condensation forms on the interior surface it could indicate a higher then desired humidity level in the home. When humidity is high some of the moisture in the air will condense out on cooler surfaces such as window glass.

Musty Odors

Musty odors may be noticed in the home. Musty odors in humid environments can be caused by the release of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) by Fungi.

Peeling Wall Paper

Elevated humidity levels can result in peeling wallpaper due to the moisture interacting with the wallpaper glue causing it to lose its integrity. Wallpaper can peel or bubble under these conditions.

Cupping Wood Floors

If wood floors are observed to be cupping this is a sign of elevated moisture levels. In many cases the cupping can be observed to be worse in the summer months then in the winter months. This is because the floors dry out during the dryer winter months.

Insect Infestations

Insect infestations may also indicate a moisture problem in your home. Insects such as centipedes, fleas, pill bugs, scorpions, silverfish, and sowbugs thrive in humid environments. If you have high humidity in your home it will draw in these types of insects.

Efflorescence

Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts that can be seen on the surface of concrete, brick, stucco or natural stone surfaces. These deposits are left when water evaporates from the surface leaving behind the minerals. This is a sign of moisture intrusion occurring. The efflorescence is often white in color but can range in color depending on the minerals originally present in the water prior to evaporation. If you have found one or more of the above signs of water intrusion in your home, you may want to call a local professional to inspect the foundation of your home for where water might be entering in. Give Barrier Waterproofing Systems a call, today!