Home foundations are made to withstand years of deterioration. However, they are far from unbreakable and will crack from time to time. Sadly, when these cracks form, they allow water through, which can cause severe damage.
As a result, you should always keep a keen eye on your foundation. Do you want to know what you should focus on? Below are five indications of foundation water damage.
Signs of Foundation Water Damage
Before you buy a house, you should know what to look for to make sure that you won’t have foundation issues in the future. Here are some less noticeable signs of foundation damage that property owners and real estate agents may overlook if they are not watchful.
Humidity
If your basement suddenly gets humid, this could be an indication that your foundation has water damage. If you seek other potential moisture sources triggering the humidity yet are unsuccessful, your foundation is most likely the root cause.
The walls of your foundation have probably developed cracks, allowing some moisture to seep in. Eventually, this moisture will evaporate through the walls and into your basement, making what should be a dry space feel humid and damp.
Foundation Cracks
While cracks in the foundation are a noticeable sign of damage, they can also go unnoticed. This is especially true if the crack is small and possibly concealed behind landscaping. Cracks usually indicate water damage to the foundation and can happen inside and outside the property.
If you find any horizontal cracks outside your property, you need to call a property restoration company.
Musty Odors
Does your basement smell moldy and unpleasant? If that’s the case, it’s probably struggling with water damage. Musty odors are caused by a combination of mold, dust, and other mildews that are attracted by moisture.
Due to the limited ventilation, nothing is controlling the excessive moisture. Foul odors could signify that floodwaters brought in germs or raw sewage, which infected the basement. You will need a specialist’s help to determine the odor’s source.
Discolored Walls
Another early sign of foundation water damage is stains or large patches of discoloration on your basement walls. This is another sign that groundwater is leaking into your basement through cracks in the structure.
If you spot this, contact a skilled home waterproofing company expert that will quickly check and repair the issue, whatever it may be. Consult a professional to find more info on how to fix water damage.
Mold Problems
Foundation cracks do allow groundwater to seep up through the structure. This moisture promotes the growth of mold and mildew. Their spores float through the air and may infest your home. A mold infestation can start as a thin line or patch and rapidly spread.
As the mold spreads, porous concrete and materials such as wallpaper, carpeting, drywall, and floorboards are at risk. Mold can gnaw your floors and boards, causing them to collapse if neglected. Mold will also regrow if the underlying source, which is moisture, is not fixed.
Final Thoughts
Nothing is more discouraging than buying a home only to discover the foundation has water damage. Act quickly and decisively if you discover any of the above signs in your basement. However, repairing a foundation is something you can only do with help. You must have an expert home waterproofing business on hand to call if the need occurs.
