If you were to take an informal poll of local homeowners, you would likely find the vast majority have found water in their basement. Most basement walls inevitably crack as time progresses as water, moving soil and other forces exert pressure. There is even the potential for water to seep into the basement through windows, compromised flooring, faulty sump pumps and more.
You might not be aware of the presence of water or moisture in your basement as it eventually evaporates. In addition, you might be living in a home that had water damage in the past yet you won’t know it unless you are aware of the common signs of such damage.
This is your inside look at the most common indicators of basement water damage and a brief guide detailing how to proceed after identifying water-damaged walls and/or flooring.
Addressing these water damage signs early on with basement waterproofing can protect your home from long-term structural issues, and keep you and your family healthy.
The Most Common Sign of Basement Water Damage is Visible Water
The most obvious sign of water damage in a home basement is water itself. Water has the potential to move into the basement during or after powerful rainstorms. Pooled water can also form after malfunctioning water heaters, broken washing machines and even pipe leaks occur.
Visible water in the basement might also be the result of water moving through the foundation following snowmelt or harsh rainstorm. If possible, unplug the washer, dryer and other electrical appliances in the basement before water reaches them.
However, if there is standing water near such appliances or contacting those appliances, do not risk your life by attempting to unplug them as doing so has the potential to cause electrocution.
Water Damage Sign #2: A Faint or Strong Musty Odor
The average basement has a slight musty scent simply because moisture is likely to seep into this lower portion of the house. A sump pump that is slow to eliminate water or even gaps along window perimeters increases humidity. An increase in moisture and mold/mildew growth ultimately culminates in a musty odor. Such an odor might also have a pungent scent.
Moreover, if the basement has stagnant air due to a lack of windows or a lack of space, there is an even greater chance that excess moisture will build up to the point that odorous particles cling to the walls, floors and ceiling all the more.
However, every homeowner should also be aware that musty scents have the potential to result from decayed wood in the basement. If your basement has wood beams or other forms of exposed wood, take a close look at them or signs of mold.
Water Damage Sign #3: A Sinking or Uneven Basement Floor
Uneven and/or sinking concrete basement floors are an indication of shrinkage below the home’s foundation. There is also the potential for such unevenness and/or sinking to result from soil erosion. Significant amounts of rain add water to the soil around a home, leading to its pooling beneath the house itself, ultimately creating significant structural warping and instability.
If you notice your basement floor is starting to sink or if there are uneven parts, it is a sign that water has caused damage. Such damage should be analyzed and addressed by a home basement waterproofing expert.
Water Damage Sign #4: Wood Rot
Elevated humidity levels and moisture condensation in basements occur at a high frequency as water from rain, snow and machines moves downward as a result of gravity. Water vapor or condensation develops on wood, causing wood rot that might spread to the point that the home’s structure weakens.
Water Damage Sign #5: Mold Stains
Mildew and mold form when humidity levels are high. Mold stains on basement furniture, carpets or walls are an indication of an unsafe level of moisture or previous water exposure.
If you suspect the presence of mold in your basement, use a flashlight along with a magnifying glass while wearing a protective mask to get a better look at the surface. However, some mold spores are so small and scattered that they cannot be seen by the naked eye. The little-known truth about mold is that it is nearly everywhere throughout most homes yet concentrated in such small amounts that it doesn’t become a health threat until significant accumulation occurs.
Water Damage Sign #6: Cracks in the Walls
Contact with water eventually leads to cracks in the home’s foundation. Water eventually builds up along the foundation of most homes as a result of one or several factors.
As an example, foundation walls often develop gaps or cracks resulting from water pressure. In some cases, the presence of water results from insufficient drainage. The presence of water in the home’s foundation greatly increases the chances of mildew and mold growth.
If you notice any such cracking in your basement walls, seal them to prevent water and moisture from moving inward. There might also be small or large cracks in the basement floor.
Even some basement window seals end up cracking as the years progress. If your basement has an entry door, inspect its panes with a magnifying glass to determine if there is cracking.
Even slight cracks in basement walls and floors should be addressed right away. Such cracks permit moisture and water to accumulate within the walls and floor, ultimately compromising the home’s foundation. Moisture draws in mold, dust and mildew particles that build up to the point that they become pungent.
Above all, prioritize sufficient basement airflow with to prevent air stagnation with the following strategies:
- Window installation and periodic opening for fresh air
- Regularly opening the basement entry door
- Fan operation at regular intervals
However, improving basement airflow will not rectify one or several cracks in the walls or floors. Resist the temptation to attempt a DIY (do it yourself) crack repair using a filler such as Bondo. Instead, reach out to the basement waterproofing specialists for professional assistance.
Water Damage Sign #7: White or Chalky Stains
The evaporation of water causes minerals to accumulate, leading to the formation of chalk-like white staining referred to as “efflorescence” along concrete floors and walls. Though the word efflorescence appears intimidating on the surface, it is the result of basic chemical interactions.
The combination of the salt within basement walls made of concrete and water ultimately causes that water to dissolve the salt. However, the water eventually dissipates, transmitting salts and minerals toward the surface where crystallization occurs. Even a small amount of excess moisture that seeps through basement floors or walls can cause efflorescence.
White stains on basement walls are an indication of significant water damage even if the basement isn’t laden with pooled water. Though efflorescence is not a serious health threat, it is a clear indication that there is an underlying problem that must be addressed.
Homeowners should be aware that there are significant differences between mold and efflorescence. Efflorescence is a mineral salt that moves in water through concrete whereas mold is a fungus. It is also worth noting that efflorescence does not always strictly look white in appearance.
There is also the potential for efflorescence to form in different shades of white and grey. Though it is certainly tempting to attempt to conceal such discoloration with a fresh coat of paint, doing so is a superficial approach that overlooks the cause of the problem. The proper approach is to recognize the high likelihood of leaks behind basement walls and reach out to a basement waterproofing professional for assistance.
Water Damage Sign #8: Texture/Color Changes
Regardless of whether your home has a finished basement, you might notice alterations in the texture or hue of the floor, walls or possibly even the ceiling.
Color or texture alterations including the following are cause for concern:
- Paint bubbling
- Paint chipping
- Paint peeling
- Discoloration on basement walls
- White patches that have an aesthetic similar to salt
Peeling wallpaper or paint results from excessive moisture trapped within walls. The laws of physics cause moisture to attempt to move outward from contained spaces, especially when there is an abundance of water accumulation after a strong storm or a roof leak. Such moisture has the potential to lead to an outcome even worse than peeing paint.
It is also possible for excessive moisture within basement walls to weaken wall structure or cause significant swelling and potentially massive cracking. Damaged wall sections might require cutting and filling with drywall resistant to water.
Let’s take a quick look at the best approaches to proactively address basement water damage prioritizing safety and structural integrity.
How to Address Water Damage in Basement
The first step to repairing your water-damaged basement is to acknowledge the problem through a formal documentation process. Mind the subtleties of basement water damage documentation as these details have the potential to help or hinder your chances of receiving financial support for repairs from your insurance provider.
Though homeowner’s insurance is not guaranteed to cover part or all of water damage in the basement, it is in your interest to take pictures of the damage to support your claim. Take snapshots of the basement walls, floor and ceiling from several different angles for a comprehensive view of the entirety of water damage.
Eliminate Water and Moisture
Now that the damage has been documented, it is time to clean up the mess. If there is standing water, eliminate it with a water vacuum. If you don’t have a water vacuum, use a mop and towels to clean the rest of the water.
However, if the water level is more than a foot high, it is in your interest to ask for professional help. The local fire department or a third-party specialist will help pump out the water on your behalf.
There should be a sense of urgency in clearing out the water as the sooner it is removed, the less likely the enclosed basement is to dampen to the point that mold grows.
Dry the Basement
Now that the water is removed, it is time to dry the basement as thoroughly as possible. Open the basement windows for ventilation. If there is a door leading to your basement, open that as well for optimal airflow. The use of fans or even a large air blower such as those used in industrial settings will help dehumidify the basement.
Plug in one or several dehumidifiers at the ends of the basement to pull as much moisture out of the air as possible. Let the dehumidifiers run for a minimum of 24-48 hours for comprehensive drying.
Clean the Floors and Walls
The combination of warm water and soap cleans walls laden with water. Moreover, there might be mold spores growing along the walls. Aside from wiping down the basement walls with a water and soap combination, the use of a HEPA air purifier will also help eliminate dangerous spores.
Key Points
- Most basements have water damage though that damage isn’t always visible
- Some water damage is visible in the form of staining yet mold/mildew are often invisible
- Every homeowner should inspect his or her basement for signs of water damage
- Timely action after acknowledging water damage has the potential to prevent health problems and potentially costly remediation
- Basement water removal and waterproofing is not always a DIY (do it yourself) project
- Homeowners are encouraged to ask for basement waterproofing and water removal assistance from the proven professionals
Basement Waterproofing is a Call Away
If you notice even one of the signs of basement water damage detailed above, do not attempt to tackle the entirety of the problem on your own. Even slight water damage has the potential to lead to the formation of mold and mildew that threaten your health and wellbeing.
Reach out to our team for professional basement waterproofing. We help local homeowners like you with water-damaged basements. Our waterproofing specialists also lend invaluable assistance to those in need of concrete and homeowners interested in French drains.
Share this post with your friends using these one-click sharing options:
👉 Click here to share on Facebook.
👉 Click here to share on Twitter.
👉 Click here to share on LinkedIn.