Real Estate NewsMoisture in The Basement? What to Look For and How to Prevent It
You spend money and time on taking care of your home, so it"s important to
protect your investment by preventing minor moisture problems like odors
from a damp or wet basement from growing into major problems that can cause
structural and integral damage to your home.
Basement moisture problems are found in three out of four homes in the
United States, according to the National Association of Waterproofing and
Structural Repair Contractors.
Is yours one of them? Here"s what the NAWSRC says to look for:
Damp spots on the walls. When wet or damp, block or concrete walls will
turn a dark gray color.
Mold or mildew. These fungi usually grow in dark, damp areas of the
basement and will cause discoloration on most surfaces.
Peeling paint. Look for paint that is discolored and/or chipping or
flaking off the walls.
Rust on appliances or furniture. Rust may form on fuse boxes or other
metal appliances throughout the basement if it"s damp.
Musty odor. The smell is the result of the decay process associated with
mold, mildew and dry rot. A musty odor may be an indication of dampness even
if signs of wetness are not visible.
Dry rot. It often appears as a brownish-black fungus growth on walls,
clothing and other surfaces; typically grows on wood surfaces, causing wood
to decay.
Cracked walls and floors. Look for horizontal cracks on walls and
step-down cracks in corners of the home. This could be a sign of foundation
problems.
Warped paneling. Basement moisture and dampness can cause wood paneling to
bow out of shape.
White chalky substance on walls. This white chalky matter is the result of
mineral deposits drying on walls, commonly referred to as efflorescence.
Condensation. Signs include dampness or sweating around the bottom of the
walls during humid months, sweating water pipes, etc.
But what causes moisture in basements? The Concrete Network, an Internet
directory of concrete services and information, says some of the main causes
of moisture in the basement are inadequate grading around the house,
defective or missing gutters and downspouts, improperly designed window
wells, and ineffective drain tiles and sum pits. Improper drainage with
underslab ducts and structural cracks can also lead to excess moisture.
It"s important to take care of the problem right away. Otherwise, the NAWSRC
says you"ll be looking at a host of potential problems, including:
Deterioration of property value by ten to 15 percent
Dry rot - a fungus disease that attacks both softwood and hardwood timber
and can result in the collapse of wooden structures
Unhealthy living conditions including respiratory problems
Damage to stored belongings
Warping of woods and flooring
Weakening of supporting beams
Damage to furnace
Crumbling of walls
Extension of existing cracks which can lead to structural damage
Erosion of metals and appliances
Structural foundation damage
So what can you do to prevent problems?
The University of Wisconsin has created an extension program for residents
and the University to work together using existing resources to help
families with this very issue.
John Merrill, University of Wisconsin Extension Housing Specialist, says the
first thing to do is check your gutters.
Your gutters should be catching the rain and channeling it to downspouts.
Make sure there is no debris blocking the inlets of downspouts and that all
downspouts have extensions so they can release the water at least 4 feet
away from your home.
Merrill also recommends making sure the grading around your home slopes
several feet away (from the home) at a noticeable grade of at least one inch
per foot If not, dig a shallow ditch to intercept the surface water and
carry it around the house and down a slope toward the street, placing the
drainage path as far from the house as possible.
He says any pavement immediately next to the home should slope away. If it
doesn"t, replace it and correct the sloping problem in the process. Or he
suggests adding an additional layer of pavement next to the home to reverse
the slope, but says if you do this you"ll need to caulk joints and cracks in
the drive or sidewalk.
Merrill also recommends making sure your basement window wells are deeper
than the window sill, and that the top rim is above grade with the ground
sloping away.
If it"s too late and you already have problems, there are steps you can take
to remedy the situation. See Monday"s article to learn how.