Many homeowners believe that when their homes need foundation waterproofing it will be obvious, like a flooded basement. However, the situation with your foundation will already be dire by the time your basement is flooding. Recovering from a flooded basement is not only expensive but difficult as well. You not only have to deal with the damaged property but also have to clean up and waterproof the basement.
Identifying the signs that you need foundation waterproofing early will mean that you can avoid the unpleasant experience of spending a lot of time and money on recovering water damaged property and cleaning your basement after a flood. You will only have to worry about the waterproofing and be sure that your property is safe from moisture damage.
However, the signs that your foundation is in need of waterproofing may not always be obvious. Some signs are more subtle. These include:
1. A Musty Odor from the Basement
A musty odor that comes from the basement is often a sign of a mold infestation. If this is the case, you may have a water seepage problem in your basement. Getting rid of the mold alone won’t help the situation for the long term. As long as your basement remains damp, the mold infestation will keep coming back.
The best thing to do if you discover signs of mold in your basement is to get in touch with a waterproofing company to have your basement inspected. They can identify any water seepage problems and attend to them.
2. Presence of Radon Gas
Radon gas is odorless and colorless. This naturally occurring gas is produced by the uranium in the soil, rocks and groundwater. When the uranium begins to break down, radon gas is released. This gas is one of the most common causes of lung cancer.
If your home has high levels of radon gas, there’s a good chance that your basement is need of waterproofing. However, radon gas can only be identified through air quality testing. You may therefore never know that your household is exposed to this harmful gas without regular indoor air quality tests.
3. Shimmers on Your Wall
Has your basement wall become sparkly? It may be the result of the formation of efflorescence on the basement walls. Efflorescence consists of mineral deposits. It is formed when water seeps through hairline cracks in the foundation wall and deposits minerals absorbed from the wall on the wall surface. The presence of efflorescence always indicates the need for foundation waterproofing.
