Identifying The Warning Signs Of A Leaky Basement

Identifying The Warning Signs Of A Leaky Basement in your Commercial or Residential Properties in MD , VA ,DE ,DC,PA

Identifying The Warning Signs Of A Leaky Basement

When a new home is being built with a basement, the building contractor needs to make sure that this room will not be exposed to dampness and flooding. Over time, these issues can lead to extensive damage and extremely costly repairs. Therefore, it is important that homeowners learn how to identify the warning signs of a leaky basement. It goes without saying that water can be a one of a home’s worst enemies.

This is evidenced by the following, all of which can ultimately result in some very extensive and costly repairs. Consider these warning signs:

• Clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Flooding caused by natural disasters and torrential downpours.
• Heavy rains saturating the soil forces ground water into the basement.
• Humidity causes water to accumulate within the basement’s walls.
• Water accumulating as a result of broken pipes, leaking sewer lines, etc.
• Water that is running into the basement via the walls of the foundation.

If you notice any of the above, you should contact a professional contractor to help find the source of the problem and then do the necessary repair work to correct it.

The 3 Primary Causes Of A Leaky Basement

There are certain preventative measures that a homeowner can take to help avoid a leaky basement. This includes checking water pipes and making sure they are cleaned and covered,

using dehumidifiers, and regularly cleaning all rain gutters and downspouts. For the most part, there are 3 primary causes of leaking basements which include:

• Condensation – this usually occurs when warm air is circulating and contacts non-insulated water pipes and/or cool foundation walls. Covering water pipes in the winter with a foam insulation can oftentimes correct the problem.

• Runoff – this is attributed to rain water and melted snow finding its way into the basement of a home. The best way to correct this is to ensure that the ground surrounding your foundation is sloped away from the home. Be sure that your rain gutters and downspouts are free of any debris so that proper drainage is not inhibited.

• Subsurface seepage – when underground springs or water table levels get to high, runoff will usually result. If that runoff is allowed to continue, subsurface seepage into the basement will result.

Whether you suspect that there is a problem or not, it never hurts to hire and pay for the services of a qualified inspector to see if you are already having problems that you are unaware of or to see if there are potential problem areas that need to be corrected. If you decide to sell your home, a leaky basement could adversely impact the value of it.

The Potential Damage That Could Occur

There is a wide range of damage that can occur when you have a leaky basement. If you are having problems with leaks, seepage, and water accumulation, you need to have these problems corrected immediately before major repairs become necessary. Potential damage that can result includes:

• Damage to furnishings when the basement is used as a living area.
• Discoloration of paint and/or wallpaper.
• Growth of mold which can aggravate current health problems or lead to respiratory problems.
• Rusting of equipment, lamps, and metal furniture that you are storing in the basement.
• Warping of drywall and wood paneling.

The damage that results from a leaky basement can find its way to the ground floor of your home and cause further damage. The floors and walls as well as your possessions and valuables could be in jeopardy. So if you discover that you do have a problem in your basement, contact a professional to have it repaired.