Identifying Potential Causes For Basement Moisture Issues
Your home is your castle, and when there’s a problem with it, you’ll find that it’s difficult to rest or relax. Just knowing that a potential issue exists is enough to lead to stress, and as such it’s important to figure out the cause of the problem and fix it fast. With Maryland’s wet weather and the spring thaw that occurs, it’s common for basement leaks to occur. In fact, more Maryland homes have moisture issues in the basement or crawlspace than you might realize.
Here at AA Action Waterproofing, we believe that it’s important you understand how to identify the most common causes for basement moisture issues. Flooding basements or just damp, musky crawlspaces are no fun, and the following are the areas you’ll want to look in order to figure out what the source of the water is. Then you can start taking steps to correct the problem.
- First, take a look at the basement walls. Are there noticeable cracks inside or out? If so, that alone is likely to be the major issue. This is especially true if the concrete is darker around the cracks – that darker color is a clear indicator that there is moisture finding its way into the basement there.
- If there aren’t cracks, moisture can still be seeping through the concrete. It’s a porous material, and moisture can wick through it like a sponge – especially with the heavy snow and rainfalls that Maryland experiences. If your exterior basement walls haven’t been waterproofed before, there is a good chance that it’s the problem.
- Also, pay attention to other areas outside your home. Things like the slope of the land and the absence of proper drainage solutions can both lead to significant issues with your basement’s waterproofing. If it seems like rainwater is being funneled towards your basement with no drainage in place to stop it, you may have found the issue.
- Finally, don’t assume that all of the moisture is coming from outside the home. Plumbing pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances can all create high moisture content as well. A washing machine in the basement, for instance, could be leaking and leading to a problem. Don’t overlook what’s inside the home.
If you’ll take your time and look at all of the potential sources for basement moisture, you should be able to locate the ones that are leading to your problem.