Structural Problems and Basement Moisture
Wet Moist Basements can Cause Structural Problems..
Moisture in your Basement
Basement moisture can be caused by a number of structural problems, such as inadequate grading, missing or defective down spouts or gutters and structural cracks. Foundation Repair Lexington can help!
Signs of Basement Moisture
We can help you identify the signs and causes of basement moisture. These signs can include damp spots on the floors or walls, peeling paint, mildew or mold, musty odors, and warped paneling. If not fixed, these problems can become structural problems as well as health hazards and can also lower the value of the home.
Dealing with basement moisture is important to the health of everyone living in the home, as well as the stability of the structure. If water is allowed to stand in a basement, mold will develop and the moisture will begin to deteriorate the construction
Sources of Basement Moisture
The biggest source of basement moisture is often inadequate drainage. First, check your gutter system: are the down spouts emptying at the base of the foundation? A significant amount of water is collected off the roof of a home during a rainstorm, and you don’t want to dump all this water right where it can leach into your basement, and cause structural damage and create basement moisture. Even if the ground slopes away from the house, you want to extend the downspout at least three to four feet away from the foundation wall.
Common Methods to Remove Basement Moisture
One of the most common methods to remove basement moisture is the use of dehumidifier’s . A dehumidifier is a simple way to combat mildew, mold and the musty smells common in basements that have a moisture problem by drying the environment. Dehumidifiers can work great, but the underlying basement moisture problem must be resolved so that structural damage won’t occur.
High Water Problems
If water seems to be seeping from the floor of your home, this can suggest several problems, all of basement leaks which probably are best left to professionals. High water tables can prove one of the more difficult basement moisture challenges when it comes to keeping your basement dry. Sump pumps and french drains (perforated pipes in a bed of gravel) installed under the floor may be needed, depending on the severity of the water problem. Significant structural problems can occur over time if you don’t deal with moving the water away from the foundation and footings.
Depending on the particular situation, this can be an involved and expensive process. Fortunately, high water tables only pose an occasion issue for most home owners. If you have no intention of finishing your basement, sump pumps will often be adequate to deal with occasional flooding due to high water tables.
Basement Moisture and Your Health
Coping with basement moisture is essential towards the health of everybody residing in the house, along with the stability from the structure. If water is permitted to stand inside a basement, mold and mildew will build up and also the moisture will start to deteriorate the value of your home. The air quality will suffer and you could develop serious health issues related to mold.
No matter what your circumstances is, call us or email us and we’ll gladly assist you in resolving your basement moisture and structural problems.
