Does My Basement Have Water Damage? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties' restoration experts are ready to help you determine the best course of action.

Oregon sees its fair share of gray, wet and cold weather in the winter months, so a basement is a valuable addition to a home. It provides additional storage space, shelter from inclement weather and can be used as additional living space or workout area.

However, since basements are dug into the ground, they naturally are more prone to experiencing water damage over the course of the home’s lifetime. It’s not a guarantee that your basement will have water damage, but its likelihood is high and should be part of regular inspections, formal or informal.

Below, we’ll look at some ways that water damage can manifest itself in your basement and how our highly trained team can help in case you do discover water damage.

Three Major Signs of Water Damage

Musky, unpleasant odors. Water that gets into the basement, while it could be clean water, can cause major issues in the way of odor if it sits around before evaporating. The scent can be an overwhelming and pungent smell due to mold and mildew that become present in the environment over time. Many people believe that all basements have a smell, but this is really only the case when there has been water damage in this space.

Flaking paint on walls or masonry. Many homeowners and landlords will often apply waterproof paint on the inside of a home, especially in basements because they believe that they can proactively thwart any damage. Unfortunately, many times this paint will simply mask the issues and then lead to even bigger problems down the road. Water that seeps in will at some point or another work its way through the paint and will commonly lead to chipping, peeling or bubbling on the surface.

Cracks in the foundation. While most homes settle over time, finding cracks in foundation is not normal and can be a sign of water damage. These cracks can appear in the floor, ceiling or the walls because water could be putting pressure on the structure in a way that it can’t uphold. Hairline cracks aren’t a huge cause for alarm, but if they become any longer or wider, they should be treated by a professional immediately.

Noticing signs of water damage in your basement? Call us today to have our expert water restoration technicians help you determine how to treat these issues and get your property back to normal as quickly as possible.