Basement Problems 101: What You Need to Know

Like all things out there, our homes are prone to numerous structural problems and issues. As such, it’s essential to keep your eye on even the slightest signs that your place is having a hard time. And what better way to look out for your house than by observing the state of its basement? 

Our article aims to explore various problems during three different stages of owning a home. From troubles you might face during the first year of having a place of your own to those more complex that appear after a longer period, we’ll go through the ins and outs of basement repair. 

Common Problems During the First 12 Months of Owning a New Home 

Let’s face it: Owning your very first home is a feeling like no other. Walking into your new place can make hearts melt with joy and excitement. And that’s just how it should be. After all, you’re beginning a new chapter of your life, and it’s important to be positive about it. 

Unfortunately, these warm and fuzzy feelings don’t mean that your new home is safe from various basement-related problems. And as life would have it, new homeowners often run into more trouble than others who are much more experienced and know how to handle things. 

Here’s a list of the most common basement problems you might face during the first year of owning a new house: 

• Increased humidity and standing water — It’s no secret that water may become a dangerous enemy if we don’t take it seriously. And when it comes to water-related basement problems, they’re likely to manifest in flooding and humidity. Hence, we suggest that you check your basement for moisture that can damage your home’s internal supporting structure or form dangerous molds 
• Foul stench — The one thing no one wants is a smelly basement—you know, a nasty odor that makes you feel sick. Unfortunately, many new homeowners find themselves dealing with this problem. The main reason behind it is moisture. 
• Door cracks and window leakage — Another common problem you might face are cracks in your basement door and windows. These cracks can disturb the airflow and temperature drops all over your home. 

What About Five Years Later? 

Seeing certain quirks and low-key damage around your house after a while may not seem like that big of a deal. After all, it’s not a museum—it’s a place where people live. And with a family around, you will most likely see all sorts of damage from time to time. 

Nevertheless, don’t let these small scratches and cracks fool you. They shouldn’t keep you from making sure your basement is in a healthy condition. Such marks in the lower levels are clear signs that there’s something wrong with the base of your home.  Therefore, you shouldn’t take them lightly. 

Here are two common issues that even the more experienced homeowners have trouble dealing with: 

• Cracks on the walls and the floor — After some time has passed, your basement walls and floor lose their strength.  In Minneapolis, the climate can be very wet and warm during the summer, and windy freezing winters. So, your basement walls are likely to give in to moisture and soil destabilization, meaning cracks will appear more regularly. 
• Uneven floors — Basement cracks aren’t just ugly and unpleasant to see, they’re also pretty dangerous. They can make parts of your house sink and lead to compromised structural integrity. 

Tenth-Year Basement Problems 

Although they seem momentary and abrupt, most basement problems take years to appear and endanger the safety of your home and family. And just like that, you might come home one day and realize there’s something wrong with the foundation of your house. Therefore, it’s key to keep up with the state of your house regularly as if you just walked into it yesterday. 

Here are three common issues you might have if you’re a long-term homeowner: 

• Cracks in the cement — Having problems with sinking cement is rather common if you don’t look after it. Therefore, it’s essential to prevent water from damaging your cement support. 

• Foundation damage — Your basement and foundation are closely connected. And if one of them is having problems, you can be sure the others will be in danger too. For example, a basement flood will make sure your foundation becomes unstable due to a destabilized structural support that keeps your house intact. 

The Root of Common Basement Problems 

Let’s be honest here. Keeping your house nice and safe is not easy. It takes lots of time and energy to make sure everything is how it should be. And since we’re talking about basement problems, what’s the main cause of them? Well, although not the only reason for your headaches, hydrostatic pressure is the common culprit when it comes to basement issues. Here’s what you need to know. 

It builds up when water comes in contact with your foundation. Water affects its temperature, and the materials begin to change size. This change further leads to uneven pressure and puts your support at significant stress. And as you can guess, stress allows cracks to appear all over your basement, which helps water leak inside and pave the way for mold and other problems. 

So, are you looking to make sure none of these problems affect your family home? There’s no need to be alone in this! You can always contact professionals in Minneapolis, MN. We are more than willing to help inspect your house before providing high-quality basement waterproofing. 

Don’t delay and wait for the situation to become critical. The sooner you make sure your basement has a functional waterproofing system, the better. Contact the expert team at Innovative Basement Authority now for a free inspection and repair quote!