It is estimated that 60% of the U.S. have basements and 38% run the risk of foundation water damage. Water enters foundation in many forms such as rain, ground water, poor ventilation and more. It typically enters through vulnerable points such as walls, floors, foundation cracks, windows and clogged rain gutters. While this is common, it is not usually treated until larger problems begin to take place. If not addressed, water infiltration can deteriorate the integrity of your structure and lead to significant health issues.
Regular inspections are crucial to identify basement damage quickly. This will allow you to prevent the problem from growing and reduce expensive repair costs.
Are you wondering if your basement is leaking? Here are five warning signs to look out for:
Cracked, crumbling foundations
Foundation inspections should be conducted on both the inside (in the basement) and all exterior surfaces. As the underlying support, foundations are built to last and should not show structural damage. Damage includes: hairline fractures/cracks, buckling of floors or walls, crumbling concrete and moisture.
Mold
If you start to see any mold growing in your basement, it needs to be taken care of immediately. Mold ranges in different appearances and is often accompanied by a musty odor. It can grow anywhere with too much moisture, often behind walls or in tight crevices. Mold can also cause serious health complications, especially toxic black mold. If you find even one spot of mold, a professional mold inspector is the safest way to eliminate the issue.
Water Stains
Water stains are an automatic sign that water has been or is currently in your basement. Even if the floor or wall isn’t currently wet, it shouldn’t be ignored. Often, water moisture is caused be roof runoff spillage or a surface runoff problem. Along with waterproofing the walls and ceiling, it is important to determine and fix the point of water infiltration.
Honeycombed Concrete
Honeycombing describes the concrete when the surface looks coarse, rough and pitted. This is often caused by the concrete not being installed correctly or insufficient material in the mix. Additionally, honeycombed concrete could be the result of water leakage in the framework. While shallow honeycombed areas may only be cosmetic, deeper areas are a sign that the foundation is not as protected and durable.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a white, powdery material that appears on concrete surfaces due to basement moisture. Water travels over concrete floors and dissolves salts contained in the concrete material. Once the water reaches the concrete’s exterior, it evaporates and leaves behind the salt material.
While many repair methods have proven to be short-term solutions, Source One Environmental (S1E) offers a versatile product line for permanent waterproofing. Our water management products provide options for surface applied waterproofing and visible crack repairs, as well as the ability to fill voids and stop water through the exterior of the foundation without digging.
S1E basement repair products include:
Waterproofing and Crack Repair
- Kryton Concrete Leak Repair Kit
- Krystol T1
- Krystol T2
- Krystol Repair Grout
- Krystol Plug
Grout Systems
Epoxy Coatings
About S1E: Source One Environmental (S1E) was established in 2009 to provide innovative solutions for municipalities, contractors and plumbers in the water management and infrastructure rehabilitation markets. S1E manufacturers trenchless repair products that provide customers with an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective solution while offering on-site training and consultations.