Your basement isn’t just the ideal space to store holiday decor, laundry machines, and exercise equipment. It also has an important role to play in the overall structure of your home.
When all goes well, your basement helps to protect your foundation from leaks. Given that home foundation repairs are some of the most expensive repairs that homeowners find themselves investing in, there’s good reason to stay on the lookout for water leaks in basement spaces.
How can you tell if you’ve got leaks in your basement? What should you do if you start to notice the signs of water damage down below?
Read on for signs of water leaks in basement spaces and how to respond to them.
Top Signs of Water Leaks in Basement Spaces
The good news is that water leaks are often easy to spot in the early stages as long as you know what to look for. Here are some of the most common signs homeowners notice that they have water in the basement.
Standing Water
You shouldn’t ever have standing water in your basement, even if you have a designated drainage area. Standing water can cause long-term damage, attract pests, and contribute to mold growth. It also indicates that you have a leak or backup that needs attention.
Standing water indicates that the appropriate drains are backed up or that you have a broken water pipe. It may also indicate that you have water pooling under your home and seeping in through the foundation.
Water Stains
Have you noticed large spots of discoloration or bubbling paint on your basement walls? Maybe you’ve noticed a salt or powder-like substance (called efflorescence) building up on the walls or floors.
Water stains indicate that your basement either had a leak in the past or has an ongoing leak in the present. Either way, it’s time to take a closer look to clean and repair any damaged materials.
Mold and Mildew
Basements are a prime spot for mildew and mold growth. Both require moisture to grow and tend to thrive in areas of the home with lots of nooks and crannies. Unfortunately, mold and mildew can spread rapidly and cause unpleasant effects like congestion, coughing, and itchy eyes.
You may see visual signs of mold and mildew in the form of discolored or textured splotches, often black, white, gray, or green in color. Because mold can grow inside walls and drains, you may instead notice an earthy or musty smell. Don’t ignore mold and mildew, even if you don’t spend a ton of time in your basement, because they could end up spreading to other areas of your home.
Sewage or Bad Odors
Each year, there are an average of 4,000 basement sewage floods in Syracuse. Sewage floods present all the same issues and concerns as a broken pipe or saturated foundation and then some.
As you might expect, you can often tell the difference between a water leak and a sewage leak based on smell. When sewage and waste start to leak into your basement, they present health concerns on top of structural concerns. Call for professional sewer snaking services right away if you have sewage in your basement.
Growing Water Damage
Water leaks in basement spaces can lead to all sorts of damage, including:
- Cracks and holes in drywall
- Rust growing on pipes and metal beams
- Rotting wood
- Cracks and wear in concrete
- Warped flooring
- Rotting carpets
The longer structural damage spreads through your basement, the more it will cost to repair. Acting fast can save time and money while protecting your property value and making your home easier to sell when the time comes.
Water in the Basement: What to Do Next
While water leaks in basement spaces are often easy to notice, they’re not always as easy to remedy. While we may live in the age of DIY tutorials, it’s always best to leave these kinds of problems to the experts. Here are the steps to take once you discover water in your basement.
Locate the Source
Whenever possible, it’s helpful to locate the source of water leaks in the basement. Take note of where the signs are most prominent in your basement and investigate any surrounding pipes for cracks, rust, or corrosion. If you know the leak is caused by sewage, call a professional rather than investigating further so you don’t come into contact with the sewage.
Some leaks aren’t as easy to track down. For example, because mold growth can spread throughout a damp area, the patterns of growth may not lead you to the source. If the water is seeping in through a cracked floor, you may only see signs of it after heavy rainfall.
Call the Experts
If you’ve tracked down the source of a water leak in your basement, call the corresponding expert. In other words, if you have leaking pipes, consult a plumber. If you’re dealing with sewage backups, consult a drainage expert like Syracuse Drains.
If you can’t locate the source, you may need to contact a basement and foundation expert for an inspection. Pinpointing the source will allow you to get the additional services you need to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again.
Get Water Removal Services
Once you’ve addressed the source of the leak, you may need water removal and clean up services. This is especially important if your basement flooded or leaks caused serious mold growth and water damage.
At Syracuse Drains, we offer fast response times and non-toxic solutions to help restore your basement and protect your family’s health.
Call Syracuse Drains for Water Removal and More
Your basement can go a long way toward protecting both your foundation and your home’s interior from moisture. Water leaks in basements put a wrench in the system and require quick action to protect your home and your health.
Syracuse Drains is proud to offer both drainage and clean up services. We have the expertise to deal with both old and modern basements and drain systems. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.