Water damage in the basement is a common problem that many homeowners and realtors encounter each day. Unfortunately, if left unattended, the presence of water in your basement can cause damages to your walls, floors, and the buildings’ structure. So what are the red flags of water damage in your basement? Well, according to experts, you should be keen on the following signs:
Water Accumulation
While this comes pretty obvious, the presence of water accumulation can be the first sign of a damaged water system in your basement. Therefore, the immediate response action you can take is to identify and stop the water source before calling an emergency water cleanup service. If you can’t trace the source of water, be sure to contact an expert plumber for help.
Mold Growth
Mold naturally thrives in moist conditions. Therefore, when building materials are water damaged, they will form the perfect grounds for mold growth. Remember that mold can expose you to fungi that are harmful to your health. In that case, if you notice the presence of black, brown, green, or yellow mold, you should seek urgent plumbing services.
Wall or Floor Cracks
The presence of cracks in the walls or floors could be an indication of a weak structural foundation. Usually, these cracks are formed by water or ice applying pressure to the foundation structure. Alternatively, they can be caused by soaking with generally weakens the foundation slabs. Since cracks can pose a serious problem, it's important that you get an urgent solution.
Musty Odors
Sometimes, there are cases where you won’t identify mold presence. However, there’s one thing that can lead you to water damage in the basement, and that’s musty odors. These odors are normally produced by molds. And since they may be hidden in cracks, the smell will always fill the air.
Stains on the Floors or Walls
There are some cases where you will see your walls or floors getting discolored. While there are many causes for this, one common reason for such discoloration is the presence of water damage. Therefore, if you notice yellowish-brown color spots on your floor or wall, be sure to check your basement for water damages.
Final Thoughts
Water damage in the basement is a common occurrence. Regardless of the cause of the damage, it’s important that you take immediate action. Responding quickly to such problems helps limit damages from spreading and harming your building's structural stability. Therefore, the above-mentioned factors will come in handy to alert you of possible signs of water damage in your basement.
