Water damage in basements should be addressed to avoid serious problems. Unfortunately, if you don’t know your basement has water damage then you can’t fix it. Missing the textbook clues and leaving the damage untreated can result in property damage, risking the structural and foundational integrity of a building, and pose many health risks. So let’s get started on the signs of water damage in basements so you can identify those issues and address them.

Cracks

Although cracks can sometimes be harmless from normal settling of the house foundation, that can also be a sign of more serious problems. Cracks can form in the foundation or walls of a basement, outside of the home and in the floor. Excessive moisture and poor drainage of water can lead to large cracks. Cracks that are wider than one-sixteenth of an inch need to be checked, especially if they are accompanied by displaced walls and shifting window seals and door panes need to be sealed because when they are not, it makes for potential problems. Some examples include allowing more water into the basement, leading to more damage.

Mold Growth

Moisture can be the source of mold and thus mold can be a huge clue for finding water damage. Usually mold is a result of a leak and doesn’t discriminate on where it forms- fabrics, drywall, wood, furniture, and so on. The appearance is fuzzy, dark, sometimes white, and it gives off a musty, damp smell.

Odors

That musty, damp smell that mold gives off brings us to the odors of water damage. Pay attention to any smells that aren’t normal to your basement. Do a nice deep clean if water damage is suspected and if the odor doesn’t go away after that, then your culprit is likely mold and mildew.

Surface Color/Texture Changes

Peeling paint and wallpaper can be signs of water damage because it is a sign that the foundation is breaking down due to water. Should this be the case then the exposed cement underneath will cause the paint or wallpaper to flake. Spalling (when rock or stone break into smaller pieces) is a result of these things occurring along with efflorescence on the cement. Efflorescence is a white, sparkly, powdery substance, being that it is salt deposits that water damage has left behind. Both spalling and efflorescence can be early signs of foundational issues secondary to water damage. Also, be on the look out for yellow and brown spots, especially with pain and wallpaper.

Flooring Changes

Aside from cracking, there are other changes to a basement floor that can be clues to water damage. Floors can swell and sink from water damage. Sunken flooring could potentially mean a home has damaged foundation, or soil erosion below the floor. Swelled flooring can absorb moisture. Another indicator for moisture or water damage is spongy feeling of the under-padding or flooring that has separated from the subfloor. Take a look around for these signs of water damage to your foundation and give your local waterproofing specialists, Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems, a call today at (865) 299-2315.