Basement wall leaks are tedious to deal with, especially if it seems like nothing you do can keep the water out of your home. Persistent leaks, unfortunately, are often the symptoms of severe foundation or basement damage.
Luckily, you can work with a team of professional contractors in your area to prevent these leaks or tend to them while they’re still minor. A foundation and basement repair expert can walk through your home, determine what kind of damage you may be dealing with, and help you identify the best waterproofing measures to protect your space.
Signs of a Leak to Watch For
The only good thing about leaks in your basement is that they tend to give themselves away. If you keep a careful eye on the condition of your home, you may be able to spot a leak before it develops into something more substantial.
When exploring your basement for a leak, you can look for symptoms of damage including:
- Unpleasant smells – The more moisture makes its way into your home, the more you’re going to smell it. Not only does moisture carry its own scent, but it can also encourage rot. This means you may find yourself dealing with not only the smell of moisture but the smell of festering carpet, furniture, or wood the longer you wait to protect your home.
- Sticking doors – Moisture in your home can also warp wooden door frames, making it more difficult for you to open and close the doors to your basement.
- Foggy windows – Long-term exposure to moisture can cause your windows to develop an unappealing fog that can’t be cleaned away.
- Water damage – Naturally, exposure to water can result in water damage throughout your basement. This damage can appear throughout your belongings, with paper rotting and old clothes falling apart, or in your structural supports, depending on the kinds of damage you’re dealing with.
- Mold – Even if your basement is well used, mold can still take root once moisture moves in. Mold loves to grow in dark and damp spaces, and the presence of clusters should indicate to you that something is amiss. Note that mold spores enter your home via air currents, which means you may want to check your vents while also inspecting your basement for physical damage.
- Dampness – The more moisture makes its way into your home, the more humidity you’re going to have to deal with.
- Dropping temperatures – It is also much more difficult to control the temperature in a space that’s enduring unwelcome water damage. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home, and you may find your bills rising while the temperature drops.
- Standing water – Finally, you’ll always want to keep an eye out for pooling water in your home’s most sensitive areas.
When Do You Have to Repair A Leak?
Sometimes, it can be tempting to let a leak sit until it seems to heal itself. Unfortunately, this isn’t how leaks work. Even if the water in your home does seem to recede, the leak itself won’t get better until you or a professional take action. If you leave a leak to sit for too long, you may find yourself dealing with the kind of structural damage that takes weeks, if not months, to repair.
Repairing A Leak
You should not try to repair a basement wall leak on your own time. DIY leak repair solutions in your basement can often make the damage worse, even if you don’t mean to. Instead, when repairing a leak, reach out to the repair contractors in your area. These folks can identify the cause of your leak and can then fill it or replace damaged structural supports accordingly.
Your Best Waterproofing Solutions
If you want to prevent leaks from appearing in your basement walls, or if you want to protect your home after a leak’s been found, you’ll want to invest in home waterproofing measures. Some of the most effective include:
- Interior drains
- Sump pumps
- Vapor barriers
- Waterproof insulation
- Dehumidifiers
Don’t feel as though you have to go about protecting your home on your own. If you’re not sure where to start, you can reach out to the foundation and basement repair contractors serving the Fargo, ND, area. The professionals at Innovative Basement Authority can inspect your home and provide you with a free and personalized quote on the repair services you may need or the waterproofing measures that may best suit your space.
