Foundation Water Damage: 5 Hidden Signs to Watch for

Home structures are designed to endure years of wear and tear. However, they are far from unbreakable and will break once in a while. Sadly, when these cracks appear, they let water through, which can trigger major damage.

For that reason, you must constantly keep a close eye on your foundation. Do you want to know what you should focus on? Below are five indications of foundation water damage.

Signs of Foundation Water Damage

Before you purchase a home, you should understand what to look for to make sure that you won’t have foundation issues later on. Below are some less evident indications of foundation damage that property owners and real estate agents may overlook if they are not watchful.

Humidity

If your basement suddenly gets humid, this could be a sign that your foundation has water damage. If you try to search for other potential causes of moisture triggering the humidity yet are unsuccessful, your foundation is most likely the reason.

The walls of your foundation have possibly formed cracks, letting some moisture to seep in. This wetness will eventually evaporate through the walls and into your basement, making what should be a dry area feel moist and damp.

Foundation Cracks

While cracks in the foundation are an obvious indication of damage, they can also go unnoticed. This is especially true if the crack is small and possibly hidden behind landscaping. Cracks usually indicate water damage to the foundation and can happen inside and outside the property.

You must call a foundation repair expert like PuroClean of Green Bay if you find any straight cracks outside your house.

Musty Odors

Does your basement smell moldy and unpleasant? If that’s the case, it’s probably suffering from water damage. Musty smells are caused by a combination of mold, dust, and other mildews that are brought in by humidity.

Due to the limited ventilation, nothing is regulating the excessive humidity. Foul odors might indicate that floodwaters brought in microorganisms or raw sewage, which contaminated the basement. You will need an expert’s assistance to determine the smell’s source.

Discolored Walls

Another early sign of foundation water damage is stains or large spots of discoloration on your basement walls. This is another indication that groundwater is seeping into your basement through foundation cracks.

If you notice this, call a skilled water damage restoration in Green Bay that will immediately inspect and repair the problem, whatever it may be.

Mold Problems

Foundation cracks do let groundwater seep up through the foundation. This moisture promotes the development of mold and mildew. Their spores float through the air and might infest your house. A mold infestation can start as a thin line or patch and rapidly spread.

As the mold spreads, porous concrete and materials, including wallpaper, carpets, drywall, and floorboards, are at risk. Mold can eat away your floorings and boards, causing them to collapse if neglected. Mold will also regrow if the underlying source, which is moisture, is not addressed.

Bottom Line

Nothing is more frustrating than purchasing a house only to discover the foundation has water damage. Act fast and decisively if you discover any of the above signs in your basement. Unfortunately, fixing a foundation isn’t something you can do yourself. You should have an expert home waterproofing company on hand to call if the situation occurs.