Common Signs of Water Damage: When to Consider Waterproofing

Water is vital to life, as it sustains everything on earth. It can be gentle and refreshing, like a crisp sip of ice-cold lemonade on a hot day. But it can also become a formidable foe when it decides to go rogue and wreak havoc on your home’s infrastructure. One formidable foe most homeowners have had to fight against when it comes to water is water damage. Fixing water damage requires time and costly repairs.

In fact, according to recent statistics, a single water damage incident can cost insurance companies and homeowners thousands of dollars. But what if there’s a way to ensure you don’t break the bank and keep your home safe from water damage? The solution is basement waterproofing.

Since prevention is better than cure, let’s look at some common signs of water damage and when you should consider waterproofing. Let’s dive in.

Common Signs of Water Damage

Some of the most common signs of water damage include:

Damp Air or a Musty Odor

One of the most visible indications of water damage is a musty, earthy, and damp smell similar to something you might find in an old basement. Musty smells and humid air are typically indicative of mold and dampness. The lack of air circulation, moisture, and darkness contribute to a musty odor. If you experience unpleasant odors in your home, start by finding the source of your moisture build-up before it causes further damage. Once you do, consider waterproofing your basement.

Mold Growth

Mold growth is highly associated in places with a lot of moisture, like around the leaks in your pipes, windows, roof, or a recently flooded area. When the moisture level in your home is high, this eventually causes mold growth. And it often starts growing in seams of floors and ceilings.

While there are suitable ways to get rid of mold infestation, not dealing with the real problem, that is, water damage, will continue making your mold problem linger. So, rather than simply getting rid of the mold, consider waterproofing. This will help solve your moisture problem and reduce the chances of mold cropping up again.

Watermarks

Another water damage sign you should watch out for is watermarks on the ceiling or floor. Faint or old watermarks indicate that water is seeping through your home’s foundation. If this continues to be a problem, a shake-up in your foundation can end up causing a myriad of issues to your home’s structural integrity. It would help if you got in touch with a waterproofing expert as soon as possible.

Floor Damage

Aside from destroying your home’s structure, water damage can also wreak havoc on your floor in the basement and other parts of the house. This is especially the case for homes with hardwood floors. You may notice your floor is forming stains, cracking, or buckling for no apparent reason. Be sure to have an expert inspect your basement for water seepage. Also, invest in waterproofing as it will help keep the water damage at bay.

Shimmers on the Basement Walls

If you happen to notice that your basement wall looks a little too sparkly, this may be an indication of efflorescence forming. The shimmers on the wall occur when your home’s foundation wall cracks. These cracks cause the minerals from the walls to be absorbed and deposited on the surface. One way of preventing this from happening is through waterproofing.

Now that you know what signs to watch out for with water damage, let’s look at when to consider waterproofing.

When to Consider Waterproofing

When to waterproof your basement is a crucial decision to make, especially if you’ve spotted signs of water damage in your home. While the best time for waterproofing your basement is during construction, professional waterproofing companies have ways to deal with your basement’s water damage, even after the construction stage.

The first thing an expert will do is identify the cause of your basement’s water damage. From the problem they identify, they can use an ideal waterproofing method to correct the issue and prevent it from recurring. 

Some of the common causes of water damage in most homes include:

• Incorrect slope
• Insufficient drainage systems
• Condensation
• Poorly installed or maintained gutters
• A flood-prone area

Remember, water damage is like the annoying friend that insists on crashing your party, uninvited and unwanted. Rather than always keep an out for it, why not give yourself peace of mind with waterproofing?