For many homeowners, the best basement is one that is out of sight and out of mind. Whether it’s a finished basement with a guest room or a kid’s playroom, or an unfinished basement with a bit of extra storage space, most basements generally don’t get much attention. However, this can cause some hidden issues to sneak under the radar. Let’s take a look at some hidden basement issues that can sneak up on homeowners, and what you can do to stop them from becoming a problem.
Moisture and mold are two of the biggest hidden basement issues. Most basements are sheltered, dark or dimly lit, cool, and, too often, damp. There are many different issues that can cause a wet basement, and even minimal moisture can create the perfect environment for mold growth.
Moisture and mold can sometimes be visibly hidden, but our noses will often detect this basement issue before our eyes. If your basement smells musty, smells like dirt, or otherwise has a noticeable odor, mold may be the culprit. There are a few things you can do to detect and solve this hidden basement issue before it gets worse.
First, find where the mold is accumulating. This will help you find the moisture issues, too. Is the smell of mold consistent throughout the basement, or is it stronger in a particular area? A consistent smell of mold might indicate issues with condensation or high humidity, while areas with stronger odors might indicate cracks or leaks in pipes, walls, or the foundation. Look for discoloration in carpets, ceiling tiles, or walls, as well.
Once you’ve determined approximately where the mold is, look for the source of the moisture. If the walls and/or flooring are discolored, a crack in the foundation might be allowing water in. Or, a leaky pipe or loose window might be to blame.
Once you’ve located the source of the moisture, it’s time to fix it! A dehumidifier can help in the interim, but stopping the moisture from getting in will stop the mold growth. If you don’t resolve the moisture issue, the mold will just grow back, and it can cause more damage down the road. StayDry® provides effective basement waterproofing services in Michigan that will keep moisture from entering your home, including internal and external solutions, depending on the source of the problem.
Radon is another hidden basement issue that can be hazardous to your health if it’s not addressed. Unlike mold, radon is especially hard to notice; it’s a colorless, odorless, invisible gas. It occurs naturally all over the world and results from the breakdown of other materials in the soil. Radon is radioactive and can be harmful even in small amounts. According to the CDC, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarettes.
Though you cannot detect radon on your own, there are a variety of tests that can detect the presence of radon. Since radon occurs from the breakdown of other materials in the soil, it’s most problematic in basements. Getting your basement tested for radon, either on your own using a home test or by working with a professional, can show whether or not radon is a problem in your home.
Once you’ve tested your basement for radon, you’ll know whether or not you have a problem. If you do have a problem, ventilation is the best solution. Radon, like most harmful gases, can be removed or mitigated through proper ventilation. With the right ventilation in your basement, you won’t have to worry about radon gas. One common way that Radon enters homes is through cracks in foundation walls. Schedule a free basement inspection from the experts at StayDry® to see if you have any basement cracks that need to be sealed.
If your basement walls or your foundation are unstable, it can present a serious threat to the longevity of your home. A variety of situations can cause cracks in your foundation, which can threaten the stability of your home. However, not all cracks are cause for concern. Thin hairline cracks are generally harmless, but larger cracks can allow moisture into your home or indicate that the foundation is unstable.
First, it’s important to assess whether or not the cracks or other damage in the walls or floor are cause for concern. If the cracks are over ¼ inch wide, you should get an expert assessment. Or, if you notice the basement walls bulging outward at the middle (bowing) or they are slanting forward or backward, it’s a sign that your walls are not holding up to the forces pressing down on them or against them.
Unstable walls or an unstable foundation can be corrected. Reinforcements can give the walls the extra stability they need to withstand the intense forces pushing on them. StayDry® offers several ways to do this, such as fortress stabilization using Kevlar straps secured to anchor points to reinforce the walls and preventfurther damage. Other methods may rely on the use of steel I-beams or reconstruction in more severe cases.
Bugs and other pests, such as mice, rats, and bats, are another hidden basement issue, though it may not remain hidden for long. Catching this problem early and detecting the first signs can help you prevent damage to your home.
There is a wide range of different pests that can make their home in your basement. This sheltered, relatively cool, and sometimes moist space can be ideal for ants, spiders, cockroaches, termites, mice, rats, squirrels, and many more. Looking for the first signs of pests will help you intervene before they become a serious problem.
The solution to his basement issue can vary depending on the type of pest you’re dealing with and how severe the problem is. If you notice ants making their way into your basement from the outside, for example, the problem might be solved with regular pesticides around the exterior. However, if the pests have created a serious problem and they’ve become entrenched in your basement, an exterminator may be the best option. If you notice the pests making their way into the basement through large cracks in the floors or ceiling, or pushing through a dirt basement or crawlspace, consider getting the cracks filled by a professional or professional encapsulation to prevent future visits from unwanted guests.
There are so many basement issues that can go unnoticed for a long time. As soon as you detect signs of mold, pests, or instability in your foundation, it’s a good idea to act as soon as possible. If you notice any warning signs in your foundation structure, the team at StayDry® can help determine what is causing it and the best way to fix it. Schedule a free consultation with a foundation expert today at 1-989-520-5851.
The StayDry® team has 100+ years of combined experience with basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space repair, wall repair, and mold control.
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