6 Warnings Signs To Look Out For In Your Basement

You might have a basement in your home that you rarely use or a basement that gets a lot of use. The thing with a basement is that it can take some looking after, as it can get damp being sunken into the ground. It can also have less circulating air than other rooms in the home, so it is important to not forget about it.

When it rains or snows, which can happen much more in the winter, the water will be absorbed into the ground. This soaks the soil but means that there is more water in the area near your basement. Added water means that there can be pressure around the walls of the basement, which means more water driven into your basement. This added water pressure can also lead to cracks in the concrete, all leading to water and damp problems in the basement, and possibly looking at water damage restoration to fix it all. So with all of that in mind, here are some of the things that you can do to look after your basement and the signs of damage that you should look out for.

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Downspouts

If your roof has some gutters and downspouts, then you need to be wary of the impact that they can have on your basement. If they are not positioned correctly, then the downspouts need to be turned away from the foundation of your home. This will mean that the water is diverted around five-feet from the foundation of your home. Then the water can’t pool and lead to flooding or dampness in the basement.

Grading

It is a good idea to check in with the grading of the ground that is around the foundation of your home and check that the foundation slopes away from the home. This helps to keep water flowing away from the foundations of your home. So check on what the state of your grading is, and then if you find that you need foundation repair in Springfield IL, or in any location in fact, you can ensure that professionals are on hand to do the work for you.

Dampness and mold

If there are any signs of dampness or mold in your basement, then you need to deal with them, pronto! These problems can lead to a lot of damage, and the faster that you spot and deal with the problems, the sooner that you will be able to fix what has caused the issue in the first place. Mold can be found on walls, corners, as well as floors. You can also look for spots of mold on things like furniture and storage that is placed close to walls, so do check on those kinds of things regularly.

Pests

Any home or basement can get an infestation of pests. It doesn’t take much for them to become a problem for you. If you see any signs of infestation, then you need to deal with it before it becomes too much more. Look out for things like droppings along the floor, as well as along the top of the basement walls.

Window Wells

If your basement has a window that isn’t working well, then you need to make sure that the window has some wells built in and around them, from the outside. The wells on the windows need to be constructed in such a way that works to provide some good drainage. If the window wells in your basement start to get blocked with things like leaves, dirt, and debris, then it could lead to problems like water damage or flooding into your home. It is important to check the sealing on your window wells too so that they are secure to your foundations.

Support beams and columns

It is a good idea to look out for the condition of the support beans in your basement, as if there is any damage, it can cause a lot of problems. The things to look out for are any gaps between the beams in the home, as well as the main house girders. Look for any slanting that doesn’t look quite right, as well as leaning or sloping with beams and columns. Checking for any signs of moisture damage can make a difference too, so you can deal with it before it becomes too much more of a problem. If there are any gaps, then they need to be filled, so look out for those too.

With some regular checking and maintenance, then your basement can be looked after, and make sure that you are able to have a basement that is safe and dry. When it is safe and dry, you will be able to make the most out of the space.