5 Signs That Your Basement Needs to Be Waterproofed | Kensington, MD

Because of its location, your basement is more prone to moisture damage than any other part of your home. In fact, many people think that it’s normal for a basement to be a bit moist.

However, even though moisture problems might be common in the basement, your basement should be just as dry as any other part of your house. If it’s not, then you need to hire someone like Johnson’s Landscaping to help you with waterproofing basement services.

If you’re like a lot of homeowners, however, you might not even know about all of the moisture that is going on in the lowest level of your home. These are a few signs that your basement has moisture problems. Look out for these signs, and make a move soon if any of them relate to you; otherwise, the moisture could lead to foundation damage and could destroy the flooring, walls and other parts of your basement.

There’s a Musty Odor in Your Basement

Have you noticed that your basement smells bad? Over time, moisture in your basement can lead to an unpleasant, musty odor. Simply cleaning your basement or using air fresheners might help with the smell, but it’s best to attack the source of the problem by determining where your basement leak is coming from.

Your Walls Have Water Markings

Take a look at the walls in your basement. There might be water marks that you haven’t yet noticed, especially if your basement is dark. If moisture has been seeping into your basement, water marks will form on the walls over time. Examine the walls near the baseboards to look for these water marks.

You’ve Noticed Mold or Mildew Grow

There shouldn’t be mold or mildew in your basement, since mold and mildew both require moisture in order to grow. Mold and mildew can both cause property damage, and mold can even pose a health hazard for you and your family. Along with attacking the source of the leak, you will also need to hire a professional to get rid of the mold safely and effectively.

Your Floors or Walls Feel Soft to the Touch

Constant moisture can cause your floors or walls to slowly but surely rot. It doesn’t even require a lot of moisture for this to happen; instead, it only requires an ongoing problem that is not repaired. If your walls or floors are soft to the touch, it’s imperative to get rid of the leak before you make repairs; otherwise, your repair efforts will be futile, and you’ll probably face the same problem later.

The Air Feels “Moist”

Sometimes, you might not be able to see the signs of basement moisture right away. However, you might be able to feel it. If you feel sticky and gross when you head into your basement, there is probably a lot of humidity in the air. Although the humidity can be affected by the weather conditions outside — since you can even experience high humidity in the other parts of your home, especially during the summer or after periods of a lot of rain — it can also be a sign of basement leaking, especially if it’s an ongoing issue that you notice all year long.

As you can see, there are a few signs that you can look out for if you are keeping your eye out for moisture in your basement. If you notice any of these five things or otherwise think that there might be a leak in your basement, contact us right away. We can help you put a stop to your basement leak before the moisture causes serious damage.