If there’s moisture in your basement and you don’t know about it, you could end up with serious problems. Any amount of water in the lowest level of your house, when left undetected, can lead to structural damage that’s not only hazardous but that can also devalue your home. Depending on its severity, basement damage may also be incredibly expensive and time consuming to repair.
Unfortunately, basement water leaks aren’t always glaringly obvious, so you may not realize your home needs water damage restoration service before the damage grows severe. There are, however, a few ways to detect a hidden basement leak, and our team at Kiser Construction has those details below.
Musty Odor
If you own an older home and the basement has always smelled musty, it’s easy to assume that odor is normal. It’s probably not. Musty, dank odors anywhere in your home typically indicate the presence of water even if you can’t see it. If the air feels damp and humid, too, that’s a surefire sign your basement has a leak somewhere.
Likewise, if you’ve noticed a musty odor developing in your newer basement, it likely indicates water has found its way inside. To be safe, call a water damage restoration contractor who can inspect the room for signs of water intrusion. The sooner you find out what’s causing the musty odor, the less likely you’ll have to deal with severe damage.
Efflorescence on Unfinished Walls
Efflorescence looks like a chalky or even slightly sparkly residue on concrete walls. It happens when water gets inside your basement and evaporates. Since only water molecules can evaporate, any minerals or other substances present in the water will stay behind, creating an ashy residue on the walls of an unfinished basement.
If you notice this type of residue building on your basement or crawlspace walls, it’s time to call in the pros for a water damage inspection. While you may not be able to detect the presence of minor damage, a water restoration expert can, and the earlier you address the issue, the easier it’ll be to repair.
Concrete Spalling
If you can see that your stone, brick, or concrete walls are beginning to flake, peel, or crumble that’s called spalling, and it only happens when moisture is present. When water leaks onto your basement walls and then evaporates, it leaves behind salt deposits that gradually deteriorate unfinished masonry. When you notice spalling, there a good chance that your basement is suffering from a small amount of water seepage, which a restoration contractor can easily find.
Mold or Mildew Growth
Mold and mildew can only grow when there’s moisture present. You might notice these organic growths cropping up in tight areas like corners or in spaces behind large objects (like shelves, washers, and dryers) where there isn’t a lot of ventilation.
Since mold and mildew can spread quickly and present a hazard to your health, it’s important to find any sources of moisture that are feeding these organic growths. A water restoration pro can perform a comprehensive inspection to find where the water is entering your basement and fill you in the best way to address the damage. If the growths are severe, you’ll likely need to hire a mold remediation expert who can safely handle their removal.
Worried Your Basement Might Need Water Damage Restoration? Contact Kiser Construction
If you think your basement might have some long-standing water damage that needs professional attention, get in touch with our team at Kiser Construction today. We’ll thoroughly inspect the area for water intrusion, let you know if there’s existing damage, and fill you in on how severe it is. From there, we’ll develop a restoration plan that meets your needs, and help you file your insurance claim if you need us.
To get started with your free estimate, call our Elk River office at 763-633-2010 or send us a message with any questions or concerns, and we’ll be in touch promptly.