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The severity of wet-basement issues varies from home
to home and from one geographic location to another. Use this list to
do a basic assessment of your basement-waterproofing
needs:
- Moist or damp spots on interior
basement walls: When
wet or damp, block or concrete walls will turn a dark gray.
- Presence of Mold or Mildew: These are fungi that
normally grow (reproduce) in dark, damp areas of the basement and will
cause discoloration on myriad surfaces.
- Peeling Paint: Look for paint that’s discolored and /or that’s
chipping or flaking off the walls.
- Rust on Appliances, Nails/screws, Tools or metal
Furniture: Because of
humidity or dampness, corrosion may also appear on fuse boxes or other
metal objects in a basement.
- Musty or damp smell: The odor is caused by the decay
process of mold, mildew and dry rot. A musty smell might be an indication
of dampness even if “wetness” is not visible.
- Dry Rot: It often looks like a brown-black fungus
growth on walls, clothing and other surfaces; normally grows on wood
surfaces, which promotes wood to decay. More
information on types of rot here.
- Cracked Walls and Floors: Look for horizontal cracks
on walls and step-down cracks in corners of the house these might indicate
foundation failure.
- Warped Wall Paneling: Basement humidity, moisture and dampness may cause wood paneling to bow or otherwise distort.
- White
Chalky “stuff” on the inside of basement walls: The white
chalky stuff is the result of mineral deposits drying on walls, often
called “efflorescence”.
Remember: if your house is being appraised
or inspected,
the
Indicators of a Water-Damaged Basement, listed above, are cleraly
visible to the trained eye. |