Warning Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing Right Now

    Warning Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing Right Now

    From the Concrete Crack Repair Pros blog — plain answers from the crews who fix this every day.

    Damage from water is one of the primary causes of structural damage in insurance claims.  When waterproofing is not up to par for the home’s basement it occurs in many cases. People often wait until their basement is flooding to give a considerable thought about waterproofing their basement walls, but unfortunately, recovery by that time can be expensive and time-consuming. So be aware of some common signs that show your basement needs immediate waterproofing.

    Water Stains

    Old or faded watermarks on your basement walls or floors are a clear sign that in the past some issues related to water seeping through the foundation have occurred. So if you know this has not been corrected, it’s time to take action because history repeats itself.

    Mold Smell

    If you are able to detect any dampness or musty smell in your basement air, it clearly indicates that your basement has some leak and moisture has been present there for a while. Waterproofing your leaky basement walls should prevent the issue from escalating. Water seeping into your basement causes mold infestation in many cases that can cause potentially serious health concerns for you and your family. Contact our foundation crack repair professionals to deal with mold as soon as possible because not all molds are detectable at first glance as it may be within the walls or behind the walls.

    Efflorescence

    This is another clear sign there is a leakage of water onto the surface of the walls. Efflorescence presents itself when porous materials rise to the surface of the concrete. So if you see these white sparkly substances on your basement walls, it’s time to call our Concrete Crack Repair experts to get your leaky basement waterproofed effectively.

    Bowed or Cracked Walls

    If your walls or floors have cracks or your walls appear curved, you could develop a problem with water seepage, plain and simple. Your basement walls are somehow exposed to the exterior forces from the surrounding soil, so immediate waterproofing is the best way to mitigate the risks and prevent high basement waterproofing costs.

    Rust

    Reddish orange rust stains on the walls of the basement are a clear sign that there are high levels of iron in the surrounding soil carried into the basement with the water that seeps into a non-waterproofed or poorly waterproofed basement. Rust-coloured stains build up in pipes and drain ultimately causing them to clog and fail.

    If you are experiencing any of the above signs in your basement, call our Concrete Crack Repair professionals immediately for best-in-class basement waterproofing.

    Dealing with this in your own basement?

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    Emergency Basement Water FAQ

    Is a damp smell always a sign of a foundation crack?
    No. A musty smell means moisture is getting in somewhere, but the source can be a crack, a failed window well, a cove-joint leak at the wall-floor seam, condensation on cold walls, or a plumbing issue. Trace the source before paying anyone to seal something.
    Do I need full waterproofing, or is crack injection enough?
    If water is entering through one or two identifiable cracks and the rest of the wall is dry, injection is the proportionate fix and costs a fraction of a system. If water is coming up at the wall-floor joint, arriving at several points along a wall, or rising through the slab, injection will not solve it and anyone selling you injection alone is selling you a repeat visit.
    How fast should I act if water is actively coming in?
    Get the water off the floor and away from anything absorbent the same day — wet drywall and insulation become a mould problem within roughly 24 to 48 hours. The crack itself can be injected wet, so there is no reason to wait for the wall to dry out.
    Can I wait until spring to deal with a leaking basement?
    Waiting through an Ontario winter is the worst option available. Water sitting in a crack freezes, expands, and widens the crack it is sitting in. Polyurethane injection can be done in cold weather on an interior face, so there is rarely a technical reason to postpone.
    What should I do in the first hour after finding water in the basement?
    Photograph where the water is entering while it is still running — that single photo is worth more to whoever quotes the job than anything you can describe afterwards. Then move stored items clear, get the standing water up, and check the downspouts and grading outside, because a blocked downspout is a surprisingly common cause.

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