Defect Inspection: Water Damage to the Basement

One of the most common issues that many home and business owners have to deal with is water damage to the basement. This is because there are several ways that water damage can occur.

Whether it’s heavy rain or pipe bursts, or leaks, water damage to the basement should be addressed right away.

What Affects the Structural Integrity of the Basement?

Building materials, such as drywall and wood, are porous. This means that these absorb excess water and moisture, which affects the structural integrity. Moreover, this water damage makes affected materials a potential breeding ground for mould.

The longer time the water damage goes unaddressed, the more damage it will create throughout your property. This worsens the damage and creates an even bigger problem. Hence, you should spot the water damage to the basement earlier so you can fix the problem.

Basements are areas that tend to experience water damage due to flooding. So, as a property owner, you should pay close attention to them. Heavy rain that seeps into the property or a leaking pipe can lead to flooded basements and cause severe water damage. 

However, a basement doesn’t need to flood to be damaged by water. It’s not even easy to notice that your basement has suffered water damage. You can look out for some signs to help you determine water damage to the basement.

6 Signs of Water Damage to the Basement

1. Mould Growth

Mould, a natural substance, grows when the environment has moisture conditions and organic food sources. Most materials contain cellulose, which mould uses as food.

When the building materials are damaged by water, mould growth will develop in it. That said, it’s not only the water damage that ended to be addressed quickly but also the mould growth. 

This is because mould will continue to grow, spread, and damage your basement, and the fungus can lead to negative health effects.

2. Musty Odors

Mould gives off a musty odour. Since mould grows due to moisture, any musty odours you encounter in your basement could indicate a mould issue.

3. Cracks

Another cause of concern is the cracks found on the basement’s foundation, walls, or floors. Not only can water enter through these cracks, but these cracks may also have formed because of water that is placing pressure on the property’s structure.

Cracks don’t always have to be concerning unless it exceeds 2mm-4.00mm in width, then you need to have it fixed.

4. Deteriorating Materials

Building materials exposed to water and moisture are prone to deterioration. With more exposed to water and/or moisture, building materials weaken and break down. This can cause them to flake and peel off paint.

While these can be signs of old buildings, water damage to the basement can be blamed. Hence, you should pay attention to any deteriorating building materials in your basement.

5. Stains and Discolouration

When walls and floors experience water damage, they will become stained and discoloured. Typically, the water stain appears as a yellowish-brown colour. So, if you notice stains on your basement walls, then that indicates water damage.

6. Sinking Floors

A sinking floor isn’t always noticeable, but it’s a problem. If you notice some changes, then this could you have a damaged foundation or soil erosion beneath the foundation. This is a serious issue because you’ll likely have an unstable property without a structurally sound foundation.

What Should You Do to Water Damage to the Basement?

Whether your basement has suffered water damage or not, immediate action is still the best. Immediate action limits the damage from spreading your property’s structure, reducing the risk of mould growth.

In some instances, the damage may only be minimal, which may make you think of handling and resolving the problem on your own. However, the best recommendation is to have a professional building inspector conduct water on water damage to the basement. 

How Does Effective Building & Consultancy Help You with Water Damage to the Basement?

Highly experienced professionals like Elie Farah have the proper knowledge and equipment to accurately and thoroughly handle cases of water damage,

Besides, mould growth and standing water has been contaminated by sewage. Both mould and sewage-contaminated water are harmful to your health, so you’ll want to keep your hands off it and let the professionals work on it.

Through the help of Effective Building & Consultancy professional building inspectors, we can check the water damage to the basement and give the best recommendations to fix the water source, extract the excess moisture, dry out the basement, restore/repair affected objects and materials, remove any mould, clean the basement and deodorise the property.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to identify and resolve your water damage to the basement. Call us at 02 9613 3353 or email us at service@effectivebuilding.com.au.

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