Moisture problems in basements can cause substantial structural damage and have serious repercussions for those residing within them, impacting both their health and that of other inhabitants of the house.
Moisture can enter buildings from both inside and outside sources; leakage and condensation being two common culprits. Clogged gutters and downspouts often contribute to this exterior moisture issue.
Grading soil away from the foundation of a home is the first step in solving basement moisture issues, as this helps stop water seeping in through walls and floors and into your walls and floor.
1. Moisture on the Walls or Floors
As soon as moisture makes an appearance in your basement, it is a telltale sign of its need for waterproofing. There are multiple solutions available to address this problem ranging from installing interior drain systems and French drain solutions, but make sure that whatever solution chosen addresses both internal and external sources of moisture.
Internal moisture comes from several sources, including condensation. When temperatures are warm enough for condensation to occur in your basement during summertime, warm humid air condenses onto cool basement walls and floors, potentially giving the appearance of leakage but often it’s simply caused by condensation.
Check for internal humidity by taping aluminum foil to a basement wall and inspecting it several days later; wetness indicates high levels of internal humidity. You can reduce internal moisture by insulating basement walls – saving energy while cutting your heating bill! External moisture can enter porous concrete or masonry walls through cracks in their surface as well as groundwater seeping through or rainwater or melting snow seeping through; to combat this potential threat it’s also essential to inspect gutters, downspouts and surface grading around your house to assess potential vulnerabilities that might exist within these aspects of surface grading for external moisture leaking in.
2. Cracks or Holes in the Walls or Floors
Cracked basement floors are usually due to water seeping through from within, and often the best and least costly way to solve this problem is identifying and rectifying its source, like a leaky showerhead or pipe burst.
Cracked basement walls may signal an even greater issue. Cracks occur due to soil expansion and contraction around foundation walls creating hydrostatic pressure which, if it becomes excessive, causes walls to bow inward and widen cracks that allow groundwater into the basement.
To avoid condensation in your basement, ensure it has adequate insulation and ventilation, with an efficient dehumidifier and well-placed exhaust fan to maintain low humidity levels and help avoid condensation. Fill minor cracks using a mixture of one part cement to two parts sand mixed with just enough water to stiffen it; special care must be taken to fill all cracks completely with this mix of mortar.
3. Mold Spores
Mold spots in your basement are an obvious telltale sign of moisture. Be on the lookout for dark or black areas with an unpleasant musty odor that show signs of mold growth; such mold often emits its distinctive musty odor when growing and spreading, especially if Aspergillus production produces mycotoxins that harm people and pets alike, and aggravate asthmatic or allergy sufferers’ respiratory tracts.
Mold can arise for various reasons, including leaking pipes, inadequate ventilation systems, high humidity levels and existing mold infestations. To effectively address mold issues it’s crucial to identify its source and take measures to fix it before it reappears later. Rainwater or melting snow that doesn’t drain off quickly enough can also contribute to moisture problems in basements as it percolates through the soil causing leaks and flooding issues if left to pool beneath your foundation – make sure gutters and downspouts are appropriately installed as well as that there’s adequate drainage around its base for best results!
4. Odors
Mold and mildew odours in the basement are an early indicator that too much moisture exists there, signalling too much humidity is accumulating there and creating health concerns throughout your home. Left unchecked, these smells could spread and spread throughout the rest of the property and lead to serious health concerns for you and your family.
Odors may also indicate plumbing issues in your basement. An odor resembling that of sewerage indicates a sewer line leak; check all p-traps to make sure they’re still holding water and not allowing sewer gases into your home.
If the smell in your basement is the result of high indoor humidity levels, a dehumidifier may help. By extracting moisture from the air and keeping it from condensing onto cold surfaces such as walls and floors, dehumidifiers remove excess moisture that might otherwise condense onto these cold surfaces and condense into condensate on them. White salt stains on walls is called efflorescence caused by water leaking into porous concrete materials like brick and block structures. While these stains might look similar to mold removal with ease with either scraper or paintbrushing.