Call UsLet’s face it, homeowners that have a basement will always have basement problems to deal with. Whether you use the lower level of your home as a storage area or as the most populated area, problems always seem to arise. Some problems can range from being a little annoyance or a huge problem. Thankfully, there is a way to fix them.
Being in the basement repair business for as long as we have, we have come across quite a few problems. There are all kinds of issues that lead to basement waterproofing, so we have seen them all. To help you combat these pesky basement problems, we would like to cover the top ten and provide tips on dealing with them.
Basement Problems And Their Solutions
Listed below are the top ten most common basement problems along with proper solutions for them. These problems are:
- Mold And Mildew – This is probably the most commonly faced issue of them all. Headaches, breathing issues, and allergic reactions can come from mold and mildew. Forty percent of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home is circulated from you basement, so keeping it mold free is important.
- Wall Bowing – When cracks go unnoticed, walls can begin to buckle or bow. This is when you will need to get bowed basement wall repair. The usual fix for this is called the wall anchor system.
- Sinking Floors – A floor can begin to sink when the soil underneath it begins to erode due to water. This leaves little support for the foundation of the home. To fix this, a professional will have to come out and fix it for you.
- Failing Sump Pump – If a sump pump happens to fail, water can get backed up and cause flooding. The best way to prevent this is having a professional provide regular checkups.
- Basement Cracks – When soil absorbs a lot of rain water, it begins to expand, putting a lot of pressure on the foundation walls. This creates cracks in the walls of the lower level of a home. These cracks will have to be filled in.
- Leaks – If the cracks in the walls are not taken care of, this can create basement wall leaks. Water can then enter the basement and cause a bunch of other problems. Like stated above, these need to be filled in.
- Flooding – This can be caused a lot of different things such a pipe bursting, backed up drainage, or bad leaks. The water needs to be removed and dried, then the cause needs to be fixed. A wet basement can lead to all kinds of other problems.
- Nasty Smells – When a basement becomes humid, odors can develop. It is common in many basements and they mainly are caused by mold, rot, or dust mites. To fix this, try to control the humidity in your basement.
- Terrible Appearance – Water can destroy a finished or unfinished basement all the same. The floors can get really ugly, walls can chip and crack, and can plug plumbing by bringing in iron from the soil. By sealing any entry points, this can prevent this problem.
- Humidity – If water is not causing any problems, humidity can. When it condenses, mold and rot can grow, creating an unfit environment for people. If humidity can be controlled, this can prevent those issues.
The absolute best way to fix these problems is to prevent them. With the proper precautionary actions in place, your basement can be a safe and healthy environment for years to come.