Is Your Basement Leaking

Check for Signs of Excess Moisture- Before Expensive Damage

Your basement is prone to flooding; it is literally the lowest level of your home. Apart from the structural repairs, think of your vulnerable irreplaceable family heirlooms and furniture stored in the basement. In the absence of obvious standing water, you might find signs of water damage on various materials in your Corona basement. Next time you go downstairs, here are some things to look for:

Dank Smells Indicate Mold Growth

That wet basement smell is a huge red flag. Mold and mildew grow in damp areas with poor air circulation, in corners, along the edge of the floor where it meets the wall, in paper/organic surfaces, behind appliances, under boxes and anywhere moisture might collect or evaporate more slowly.

Molds and mildews come in scores of different varieties; the color ranges from yellow, purple, green or black. Look for fuzzy-looking residue on concrete block mortar, dusty specs or even something a bit slimier. Pay extra attention to any musty odor that doesn’t go away after a storm or wet weather.

Efflorescence Or Chalky, White Residue

Efflorescence is a white mineral deposit build-up on materials such as brick, concrete, and clay tiles. Minerals, such as salts, are carried into and dissolved within the masonry material as the water passes thru. When the water evaporates, the minerals are left on the surface.

In some cases, water infiltration is so pronounced that the efflorescence leaves a distinct water line on the walls. Stains high on the wall could indicate a problem with soil grading; you’ll see a white haze that feels dry and slightly rough to the touch.

Changes In Texture On Masonry Walls

Be on the lookout for any changes in color or texture of surfaces. In a finished basement, wallpaper or paint may peel or appear yellowed. Walls may also warp or become bowed as a result of prolonged seepage.  

Water seeping through basement walls doesn’t affect the front surface of the coating. It builds up behind the coating where pressure forces it away from the block, stone or brick. If the dry basement hast flaking paint or blisters in the coating, call a restoration team to investigate.

Since basement foundations are porous materials, moisture and water can easily seep through. Drylock or Drylok is a common waterproofing concrete sealer. However, if Drylock is applied to surfaces that have not been properly sealed, the product will bubble and eventually flake off.

Wall Cracks

A crack in the wall can be a warning sign that some water damage is occurring, or it can be a sign of some other structural problem.  Usually cracking occurs from a) excessive moisture from weather and climate or b) inadequate drainage from soggy soil. Pay attention to cracks in window seals and door panes too, as this could point to water damage. A crack can be the cause and/ or the effect of water seepage in your basement.

Stained Or Rotting Floors

Lastly, any stains or discoloration on floors could be an indication of a past or present water leak. If a basement has flooring, it may be swollen or removed from the subfloor. The carpet under-padding may also feel spongy, another indicator of water damage.

Look out for is any sort of deterioration to the wood floor.  When the moisture content of the wood goes beyond 30% or the saturation point, wood decay spores will find their way to the surface of the wood. They are always in the air;  when temperature and humidity conditions are right, the spores germinate and penetrate the wood. Wooden floors may show signs of dry rot, a brown colored type of fungus that lives and consumes wood.

Rusty nails are another bad sign. Rust develops on iron and steel surfaces and is a reddish flaky layer of iron oxide. It is formed by oxidation and is definitely evidence of past or present moisture exposure.

PRC Restoration For Water Damage In Corona

A water mitigation contractor will do an extensive examination of the basement then measure the moisture content of the affected areas. They will also use powerful pumps and vacuums to remove the excess water or industrial strength fans to dry damp areas. Once the basement is considered dry, as licensed contractors, they can begin the build back work on the damaged area, as needed.  

PRC Restoration understands how stressful water damage can be; the team is available 24 hours a day. The qualified technicians are trained to identify structural risks and address instability issues until permanent repairs can be made.

PRC Inc is a full-service licensed general contractor in the Corona area. We provide emergency services, mitigation, structural repairs and construction services. PRC Restoration Inc. is an industry leader in both commercial and residential disaster recovery, with over 20 years of meeting and exceeding our client’s expectations.