Preventing Water Damage in Your Basement

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

The best way to prevent water damage in your basement is to be aware. Take time to look around, especially after rainy weather, and check for signs of any problem. Damage to the basement and foundation areas of a home are extremely important to repair as soon as possible in order to avoid larger structural and property damages in the future, which can end up costing far more in the long run.

Here are some things to look for:

• Changes in the color or texture of surfaces. In a finished basement, wallpaper or paint might be peeling away or appear discoloured. Check for bowing in the walls, which can be a result of long-term seepage. When the basement is unfinished, you will want to look for a white, salty substance known as “efflorescence”, which appears on foundational walls; this will tell you how high water has risen. If the basement flooring is swollen or removed from the subfloor, that is another indicator of water damages.
• Cracking can occur in the foundation and/or the floor, and it is often due to water damage. Look for cracks in window seals and door panes, as well.
• Odors are an indicator that there is an excess water problem. Oftentimes, it’s mold or mildew that causes those smells, which means you have water damage on your hands.
• Keep drainage areas well-maintained in expectation of summer storms; directing water away from your buildings will stop any problems before they even start!

Once you have found that you have water damage, it’s probably time to call a professional general contractor. These people are experienced and trained to repair and renovate spaces that have extensive damage from excess water due to leaky pipes, flooding, etc.

The SERVPRO team of Waycross, Hinesville & Douglas is the team to call for cleanups after water damage or fire damage, whether small or large. We are also mold-remediation experts, too! You can reach us by phone at (912) 285-0724, or visit us on our website: SERVPRO of Waycross, Hinesville & Douglas.