7 Warning Signs of Foundation Water Damage You Shouldn’t Ignore

Home foundations are built to thrive through years and years of wear and tear. That said, they’re far from indestructible and will incur cracks from time to time. Unfortunately, when these cracks form, they allow through water, the level of water that can lead to severe damage.

For this reason, you need to keep an eye on your foundation as much as possible. Wondering what exactly you need to keep an eye on? Here are 7 warning signs of foundation water damage.

1. Foundation Cracks

The most obvious sign of a cracking foundation is, well, a cracking foundation. If you see cracks either on the exterior of your foundation or the interior of your basement wall, it’s almost a certainty: you’re likely dealing with a water-damaged foundation.

Sure, foundations can crack for other reasons. For instance, the natural shifting of the soil can cause a foundation to crack. But those types of cracks are few and far between.

The vast majority of foundation cracks come about due to water pressure. Water collects in the ground around the foundation and presses up against it. Over time, this causes the foundation to buckle, resulting in cracks.

Note, though, that not all foundation cracks are created equal. The shorter and narrower ones are nowhere near as concerning as the longer and thicker ones. If the crack is over 4 inches long or over a quarter centimeter in width, you should have it inspected by a professional waterproofer.

2. Basement Floor Cracks

It’s not only foundation cracks that you need to look out for. Basement floor cracks can indicate foundational deterioration as well.

These cracks form once the foundation has begun to shift. It places pressure on the floor, causing it to separate in different areas. If not fixed, this problem can become severe, resulting in extreme sloping and structural imbalance.

So, if you see any particularly large cracks on your basement floor, you’re advised to bring in a basement waterproofer as soon as possible. The sooner you make a fix, the less money you’ll pay on repairs in the long run.

3. Efflorescence

Another sign of foundational deterioration is efflorescence. What’s efflorescence, you ask? In the case of foundations, it’s a powdery, white substance that shows up on the interiors of water-damaged concrete and brick walls.

More specifically, efflorescence is a conglomeration of salt particles that transfer from the interiors of their respective construction materials. These salt particles are forced out by water molecules over time.

So, if you see a white, crystal-like substance adorning the surface of your basement walls, you need to call up a basement waterproofing company. They’ll not only clean up the efflorescence but make any other necessary repairs.

4. Musty Smells

Does your basement contain a musty, unpleasant odor? If so, it’s likely experiencing some level of water damage.

See, musty smells come from combinations of mold, dust, and other miscellaneous mildew, all of which are attracted by moisture. So, if you have musty smells in your basement, you almost certainly have water in your basement as well.

And where is that water coming from? Through cracks in your foundation, of course. As such, if you want to fix this problem, you have to fix your ailing foundation.

5. Mold Growth

As was just noted, basement moisture attracts mold. Therefore, if you have mold growing in your basement, there’s plenty of reason to believe that you have moisture in your basement as well. And as was noted before, if there’s moisture in your basement, it’s almost sure to be coming through the cracks in your foundation.

Note that mold growth isn’t only a sign of foundational deterioration. In fact, it’s a problem in and of itself. If you’re allergic to mold, you could start to feel the effects of congestion, headaches, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and other symptoms.

For both of these reasons, you need to have your foundation patched up as soon as possible. Not only will you be preventing the inward flow of groundwater and improving the structural integrity of your home, but you’ll also be killing off mold for good.

6. Excessive Dust Accumulation

Basements attract dust. It’s just what they do. But there’s a difference between a smattering of dust and a hurricane of dust; foundational deterioration will lead to the latter.

See, dust is highly attracted to moisture and will stick to it upon contact. As such, if there’s moisture in your basement, all of the dust that comes its way will remain, piling up on itself over time.

There’s only one long-term solution to this problem: you have to fix your foundation. Bring in your local basement waterproofing company to handle the task.

7. Basement Wall Staining

The last sign of foundational water damage we’re going to discuss is basement wall staining. This is exactly what it sounds like it is: a basement wall becoming stained in certain areas, usually in tones of gray or brown.

The reason that this occurs is that water seeps into the structural components of the wall. This causes those components to warp and bubble, leading to a distasteful color and, in some cases, structural imbalance.

If your basement walls have gotten to this point, they are demonstrating signs of fairly severe foundational deterioration. The only solution at this point is to have them assessed by a foundation waterproofing company.

Are You Dealing With Foundation Water Damage in Concord, NC?

Is your foundation on the mend? Are you dealing with foundation water damage in Concord, NC? We here at Sedona Waterproofing Solutions are the people to see.

We’re well-versed in foundation crack repair, having fixed thousands of foundation cracks throughout the Concord area. We’ll have your foundation back in one piece in no time.

Contact us now to schedule an appointment!

Learn more about Sedona Waterproofing Solutions.