Moisture and Leakage Warning Signs

A recent survey undertaken by Health and Welfare Canada found that 38% of Canadian homes had indications of excessive dampness or mold. And even the most modern basements, which may remain dry for years, can suddenly become susceptible to moisture infiltration as settling occurs or conditions change around the home. Many home sales get re-negotiated or canceled when the building inspector discovers moisture. What will the building inspector look for?

Damp Spots on Walls An unpainted block will turn dark gray when it's wet. A painted wall will show discoloration, or a darkening of the paint. A poured wall might show discoloration. In any case, there might be white or dark outlines surrounding the area, which means that either its leaked before, or substantial moisture has come through in that area.

Mold or Mildew Mold and mildew are living, breathing organisms that grow and multiply anywhere there is excessive moisture. For those of us exploring our basement, mold and mildew can grow in the walls, carpeting, furniture, or anywhere else it can find a food source.

Peeling Paint Sometimes paint gets old. When it does it can peel off the surface it was painted on, like the peeling paint you may see on old homes. But it doesn't peel off just because its old. It can also peel off because: It was the wrong paint. The surface wasn't properly prepared. There is dampness or moisture in the wall you are trying to paint. Paint will not stick to damp surfaces. It will discolor, and water vapor will peel the paint right off the wall or poke holes in it. Look for blisters where the paint has delaminated from the wall.

Rust on Appliances or Jack Posts Metal is susceptible to rusting when there is excessive moisture. The rust may begin on fuse boxes, water heaters, jack posts or appliances due to dampness. Once it happens, you have to completely remove the rust and repaint as soon as possible, and then look for the cause of the moisture. If not, the rust will reappear.

Musty Odor Musty odors are merely the result of the decay process associated with mold, mildew and dry rot. It is the odor given off by the decaying material. Once you smell it, look for the source, and try cleaning any item that has the smell. If it returns, you'll need to replace it.

Dry Rot This can appear as a brownish-black fungus growth on walls, clothing and other surfaces; it typically grows on wood surfaces. Keep in mind that dry rot is a byproduct of the decaying process - you'll need to not only replace whatever is damaged, but also find and cure the cause of the dry rot forming in the first place.

Cracked Walls and Floors Cracks can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and directions. For example, you may see step-cracks on the wall. You might find vertical cracks, or horizontal cracks. In any of these cases, something is causing this to happen - cracks don't usually appear naturally. It could be from settling, pressure on the walls or under the floor, or any number of other causes. We have a solution for bowed walls!

White Chalky Substance on Walls Concrete is made up of limestone, clay and mortar, and aggregate (stone). That white outline or spot you see is the calcium in the block leaching out. Its an indication of water, excessive moisture, and is something you should pay attention to. It's called efflorescence.

Do's		Don'ts
Always get sound professional advice - ask the company giving advice what they specialize in before you tell them you have a basement problem. If they don't say 'Basements' in their first response consider asking someone else.		Do not rely on the advice of any individual or company that is not a true dedicated specialist in the field of basement waterproofing.
Wherever possible include drainage to alleviate water pressure as part of your solution.		Never rely solely on 'bonded' waterproofing such as render or asphalt to hold back water pressure.
Do choose the systems you need based on its technical merits and your performance criteria. If you cannot afford it, it may be better to do nothing or to do part of the right system that can be added to later.		Do not choose the wrong system just because it is cheaper - it will almost always cost you more. Many people have paid for the wrong system and installed the right one some months or years later.
Always choose a system that comes with a good quality after sales service.		Never chose a system that does not include an after sales service.
Always assume that water pressure could quite well increase in the future - this might be due to high rain fall or a burst water-main.		Do not rely on the past history of a basement to predict its future likelihood of flooding.