Symptoms of Water Damage

If you’ve begun to notice small basement leaks in your Spencer home, then the bad news is your home may have issues with water intrusion. But thankfully, if the leaks are still small, then you’ve caught the issue early enough where the repairs will be a bit easier. After all, basement leaks will get worse over time, so stopping them early is your best bet. Our foundation water damage experts in Spencer can help! Some of the early signs of moisture in your basement are:

  • Degradation of ceiling beams, concrete walls, floors, or other building materials
  • A white, chalky substance (called efflorescence) on concrete walls
  • Damp, mildewy, or musty smells
  • New floor or wall stains
  • Damp or wet basement walls
  • Sitting water or water that doesn’t dry even after long periods of time

Common Entry Points for Water

There are a few common places where water can enter your basement, so take some time to walk around your basement and check for the following. It’s essential to catch these issues early on to avoid more costly repairs down the line. Our team in Spencer can help you prevent foundation water damage.

Floor Cracks

One potential entry point is cracks along the floor of your basement. Water can rise through these cracks when it rains before seeping back into the soil when it’s drying.

Cove Joint Seepage

Cove joint seepage is when a small space exists between your walls and your floor. This typically occurs when separate pours of concrete come into contact with each other. Water can flow between these spaces and pool in your basement.

Masonry Walls

If your basement has cinder block walls, check between the joints of the blocks. It’s not uncommon for these to have water run through any cracks and begin leaking into your basement. One way to check is to see if your walls are wet to the touch.

Window Wells

If your home has below-grade, or egress, windows, water can collect where they are installed. Over time, this can cause the seals on the window to break down and allow water into your basement.

Pipe Penetrations

Any spot where water, gas, or other pipes pass through a wall to get into a room is a potential entry point for water. The seals around these pipes can break down and create an opening for water to get inside.

Tie Rods

If your home has a poured concrete foundation, then it was made using molds that are made of tie rods. These tie rods can rust and break down, creating holes in your wall that lead to foundation water damage. This is a serious issue and needs to be addressed as soon as possible if it’s occurring in your home or business.

Basement Drains

Ironically, basement drains can allow water to enter your home, too. Usually found in older homes, they have a tendency to clog, deteriorate, and even break. This creates an easy entry point for water, which means you should frequently inspect them to make sure they are functioning properly.

Contact CLS Today

If your basement is suffering from any of these symptoms, then your building might be dealing with water intrusion or basement leaks. Water damage won’t go away on its own, and if it gets out of hand, it can cause major damage. So don’t wait until it’s too late, contact our foundation water damage experts in Spencer for a free inspection today.