November 11, 2020

You may have waterproofed the inside of your basement, but that doesn’t mean you have solved the water problem you’re having. It can be frustrating to think that you’ve taken care of the problem, but the humidity and musty smell won’t go away. You may be wondering if there is anything left to do, or if you will just have to deal with a damp basement. A basement that has been waterproofed from the inside may still have a moisture problem that will need to be remedied by a drainage contractor on the exterior of your home.

Black mold buildup in the corner of an old house. development of mildew under the Wallpaper

Why Would a Waterproofed Basement Be Damp?

Your basement is more prone to water damage than any other part of your home, simply because of location. Many homeowners feel that some moisture in the basement is normal, but that isn’t true. If you’ve waterproofed the inside of your basement, you may be off to a good start. But if you still notice signs of moisture, you need to address the problem outside. Most of the time, water in the basement is caused by poor drainage in your yard that allows water to reach the foundation of your home.

Signs Your Basement Needs Exterior Waterproofing

There are several signs that your basement has moisture concerns and needs exterior waterproofing.

  • Musty Odor-If your basement smells bad, or even just smells “off”, moisture is probably the culprit.
  • Water Marks-When you look at the walls in your basement, seeing streaks is an indication that water has been seeping in over time.
  • Mold or Mildew-If you see mold or mildew growing anywhere in the basement, it’s a sure sign that your basement is damp.
  • Soft Walls or Floors-Moisture causes your walls and floors to slowly rot. It doesn’t take a lot of water at once, but it happens when the moisture problem is ongoing. If your walls or floors feel soft, there likely is water damage you can’t see.
  • Humid Air-If you feel sticky or gross heading down to the basement, there is probably humidity in the air. Although it can be weather related, a basement that feels humid year round most likely has a moisture problem.

Using a Drainage Contractor to Fix the Issues

If your basement is showing any signs of moisture, you can’t ignore the problem. Ignoring water damage is a surefire way to find yourself needing very expensive structural repairs down the line. Because exterior drainage issues can be fairly labor intensive to remedy, the best way to go about fixing the problem is to hire a drainage contractor. A drainage contractor will have the experience and expertise to diagnose the issues leading to the water problem, remedy the drainage in your yard, and advise you on ways to keep the water from re-entering your basement. A drainage contractor may recommend re-grading the property to encourage water to flow away from the foundation or install one of several drain options that will divert any standing water away from your home, where it can enter and cause damage.

Water damage is not something you can put off or ignore. Having a drainage contractor out to assess the situation and provide the right solution for your property can save you a lot of money in repairs in the future, and can help your basement to be a part of your home you can be proud of. If you’re experiencing drainage issues on your property, contact Twin Oaks Landscape today.