Signs of Basement Water Damage

While some people have unfinished basements that they use as laundry rooms or storage areas, many people finish their basements and use that space in fun ways. You can create your own home office, a home theater for watching films with loved ones or a rec room that makes it easy for you to host parties for kids and adults. If you notice a musty smell that lingers in the air, you may have some water damage in your basement. You'll want to look at some other signs of water damage in that space too.

Spots on the Walls and Floors

You should check both the walls and floors for any spots that look out of place. When you finished that basement, you probably painted the walls or installed wallpaper and put down some new flooring. You know exactly how the walls and floors should look, which makes it easy to determine if there are unusual spots. Spots that are white or a lighter color and have a powdery finish can indicate mildew. Mold, which is a sign of water damage, can be dark brown, green or even black.

Insect Infestations

If you leave the basement windows open for a few hours to let in some fresh air, you probably expect to see some flies and other insects buzzing around. You do not expect to see a larger presence of bugs when you leave the windows closed though. Insects like spiders and termites can be a sign that your basement has some type of water damage. As water seeps through the cracks and holes in the walls and foundation, the liquid can enlarge those openings and allow bugs to come through too. The bugs can come through the walls as the water moves them away from their natural habitats also.

Standing Water

The biggest sign that you have a problem in your basement is when you see puddles of standing water. While this can occur right after a flood, it can also occur when you have a mild rainstorm. This is a clear sign that the water has a way inside your home. If you have more serious foundatwet basement repair Buffalo New York residents who own their own homes can get relief from all the water damage they see in their basements.

ion issues, your basement can even flood as the water climbs up the walls. With