Whether you are buying or renting a home, or even selling your home, you should know the signs of water damage in your basement. Water damage caused by a flood, malfunction, or leak can cause structural problems and lead to the growth of mould and bacteria, which can harm you and your family. Knowing the early signs of water damage in your basement can help you protect your property, look out for hidden water damage and have it addressed, and give you peace of mind. Here’s how to spot water damage in the basement.
Signs of Water Damage in Your Basement
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Water Accumulation
The accumulation of water is probably the most obvious signs of water damage in your basement. If you have standing water, or water pouring into your basement, you need to act quickly. You will need experts to find out where this water is coming from, and make sure that none of your valuables are damaged.
Discolouration
Discolouration is another clear sign that you may be dealing with water damage in your basement. Brown stains on your drywall, peeling drywall tape on the seams, and peeling paint are all signs of water damage. You may also notice staining and discolouration on your panelling.
Changes in Texture
Panels will buckle and warp if there is water damage in your basement, and the nails will pop from swelling. You can do this check visually, but you can also run your hands along your walls to feel for changes in shape.
Wall Cracking
Cracks in your basement walls may be harder to see if there is drywall covering it, but a home inspector will be able to access the crawlspace and unfinished areas in the basement to assess for wall cracking. If water is seeping through cracks in the walls, you will need to have this damage repaired by a professional water damage restoration company.
Mould
One of the most unsightly and dangerous signs of water damage is the growth of mould. Mould usually takes several days to grow, so by this time the water damage may have already caused damage to your home. You may also notice a foul, musty odour caused by the moisture. Mould grows when wet places do not properly dry out, and cleaning them improperly will leave residue or spread mould spores. If you notice mould growing in your basement, contact a water damage restoration company for professional solutions.
Basement Water Removal Services in Vaughan
If you need help for flooded basement cleanup in Vaughan, or if you want advice for how you can get proactive and safeguard your home, Flood Services Canada can help you. Our professionals can save you from future damage to your home caused by damage you cannot see, and we can help you settle with your insurance company. We deploy our quick-response teams across Toronto, Oakville, Ajax, Whitby, Georgina, Barrie, Mississauga, and the Lakeshore to help homeowners in a tough situation. We’re ready to provide 24/7 sewage, water damage, and flood cleanup services and will use the best techniques, personnel, and technology to ensure your home or business is clean, safe, and dry as soon as possible. Contact us at (416) 302-2107 to learn more about our water damage cleanup services, or use our emergency hotline at (416) 999-3930 to get our rapid-response teams deployed to your location.
