Problem

Problem Signs

Watch Charlie and Gary illustrate the problem signs of a basement that needs to be waterproofed.
   

 

How Water Enters


Water enters a home in three main ways.

1. Through the Wall.
2. Through the Natural Seam.
3. Through the Floor.

Most wet basements leak water through the natural seam where the floor and wall meet. The most severe leaking will occur after a rain or after snow melts. Surface water collects and builds up in the clay bowl that surrounds the foundation causing hydrostatic pressure. Water is then forced through the natural seam where the floor and wall meet. 		 

 
 

The Stages of Water Damage


EverDry can fix your basement at any stage of damage. The earlier you are able to catch the problem, the less damage will be done to your foundation and home.
 
 

First Stage


A foundation goes through various stages of cracking. Cracks typically start from the outside and work their way inside. The first stage of cracking is usually just a hairline crack outside and nothing is noticeable on the inside at this point. 		 
 
 

Second Stage


The second stage is when the crack has worked its way about halfway through the wall. Water may just be inside the hollows of a block wall or be inside the crack of a mortar joint or cement wall. This second stage is when you begin to notice signs of water such as mold, mildew, peeling paint, white powder, warped paneling, a musty odor, dry rot, rust and/or dampness. 		 
 
 

Third Stage


The third stage is typically when you begin to see cracks or water. You may even begin to notice bugs or rodents in your basement that can enter through the cracks and stay due to a moist, damp environment. In addition to the signs from stage two, you may notice the basement is excessively damp, shows hairline cracks or spots on the walls. You might notice a loss of lime salt (white powder from walls.) Puddles form on the floor. You may see seepage during moderate rain, or basement flooding during torrential rain. 		 
 
 

Fourth Stage


The fourth stage is when the cracks are at an advanced stage. You will notice a lot more water, some mud, more insects, rodents, and some foundation movement, such as bowing walls or buckling floors. In this stage there is visible structual damage, such as corners shifting and cracking or the floor dropping.
 
 
If you notice cracking on the inside of the foundation you will find 3 to 4 times as many cracks outside.
 
- Popular Science