Diagnostic Tool
If you are experiencing water or moisture in your basement, this tool will help identify the problem and solution for a dry basement. Click the type of problem you have in your basement to determine a possible solution to your problem.
A musty odor in your basement could be a sign of water problems. Because your basement is below the ground, it will be cooler than the upstairs and so will everything you store in it. When warmer air from upstairs or from outside enters your basement, it quickly condenses as it enters the basement, raising the humidity, or moisture, in the air.
Everything porous in your basement – including cardboard boxes, furniture, clothing, carpeting and even the masonry– absorbs this moisture. The high content of moisture is the breeding ground for the musty odor. Mold and mildew can form in these areas, causing an unhealthy environment for you and your family. Mold can cause allergic reactions and even greater health problems to the lungs.
Moist basement areas are a source of high humidity and unhealthy air for your home. The stagnant, damp-like odors and musty smell are evidence of poor indoor air quality.
Possible solution: A dehumidifier in your basement will help eliminate moisture caused by humidity. Prevent humid air from entering the basement by keeping doors and windows closed.
If a humidifier does not solve the problem, or if you find water entering the basement through cracks in the walls or floors, contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
Many basements feel damp but have no signs of visible water. Often the problem is directly related to humidity problems in the home.
Possible solution: A dehumidifier in your basement will help eliminate moisture caused by humidity. Basement air, walls and floors are usually cooler than the upstairs. Basement dampness is caused when warmer air from upstairs or outside enters the basement, causing higher humidity levels. Prevent humid air from entering the basement by keeping doors and windows closed.
If a humidifier does not solve the problem, or if you find water entering the basement through cracks in the walls or floors, contact Roto-Rooter waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
Your foundation may be fieldstone, cement, concrete block or cement walls. The three pieces of concrete that form the foundation - the footer, foundation wall, and floor - all join against each other to form what is called a “cold joint.” Expansion and contraction of the foundation structures creates a void and the possibility of water seeping through. When underground water is under pressure, it is referred to as hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure can force water in through the voids, wall cracks and up through floor cracks. Water can appear as puddles or steams on the floor. About 80 percent of all homes will suffer leaks at some point.
Possible solution: Waterproofing is almost inevitable. Fixing your water leaks and moisture problems is more of an investment than an expense. In many cases, interior drains can be installed in your basement to channel water away from the foundation and into the sump pit. The sump pump discharges the water to the outside and away from your home. Waterproofing stops water from ruining your walls, foundation, floors and belongings in the basement.
Contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
There are salts in just about everything used in concrete, masonry, stone and brick walls. When the salt comes in contact with water or moisture, it seeps from the concrete. The process is called efflorescence and leaves a white, chalky substance that appears on masonry walls or floors. It's an indication of water or excessive moisture. Efflorescence can be found any place that water can collect and migrate.
Possible solution: If the white residue appears over a large wall area at a generally consistent height, the problem is likely caused by high levels of humidity. A good dehumidifier in your basement will remove excessive moisture caused by humidity in the air. Basement air, walls and floors are usually cooler than the upstairs. Warmer air from upstairs or outside entering the basement causes higher humidity levels. Prevent humid air from entering the basement by keeping doors and windows closed.
If the white residue appears on the floor, the problem could be moisture seeping through the floor or down the walls. Eliminate the water and you will eliminate efflorescence.
Contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
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Mildew often generically refers to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit where moisture levels are high. Mildew can thrive on many organic materials, including ceilings, walls and floors, or throughout basements with poor moisture control.
There are many species of molds. In unaired places, such as basements, molds can produce a strong musty odor. You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles and the underside of carpets and pads.
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Possible solution: If there is only a small amount of mold on your concrete, one of the formulated products designed to remove mold such should do the job. Use a scrubbing brush to clean the mold, making sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin and a mask to prevent inhalation of mold spores.
If your mold problem is more widespread, it might symptomatic of a more serious problem with your home. Because mold is very bad for your health, you should hire a certified mold removal specialist. It could be that there are cracks in your walls which are letting moisture into your basement. If this is the case, your basement needs to be properly waterproofed. Contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
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Your foundation may be fieldstone, cement, concrete block or cement walls. The three pieces of concrete that form the foundation - the footer, foundation wall, and floor - all join against each other to form what is called a “cold joint.” Expansion and contraction of the foundation structures creates a void and the possibility of water seeping through. When underground water is under pressure, it is referred to as hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure can force water in through the voids, wall cracks and up through floor cracks. Water can appear as puddles or steams on the floor. About 80 percent of all homes will suffer leaks at some point.
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Possible solution: Waterproofing is almost inevitable. Fixing your water leaks and moisture problems is more of an investment than an expense. In many cases, interior drains can be installed in your basement to channel water away from the foundation and into the sump pit. The sump pump discharges the water to the outside and away from your home. Waterproofing stops water from ruining your walls, foundation, floors and belongings in the basement.
Contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
When water leaks down from the very top of an inside basement wall, an outside inspection is necessary. Check to see if gutters are blocked. Check for low points on the ground that allow water to build up near the home. Check to ensure that the landscaping pitches away from the home. Check soil surface level to ensure that it’s lower than the top of the foundation. Check concrete steps, porches and patios for gaps against the home.
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Possible solutions: Make sure your rain gutters are clean and working properly, channeling water away from your home’s foundation. Install gutter guards to keep leaves out of the gutters.
Make sure your downspouts have watertight fittings, extend at least 10 feet, and drain onto land that slopes away from your home.
Fill in low spots near the home and slope the landscape away from the home to keep water from flowing towards and resting against the home’s foundation. Ensure that landscape soil is not higher than the top of the foundation to keep moisture and insects away from the wood inside.
Ensure that any deck, porch or patio has properly flashing to keep water from entering the home.
Water and moisture are the most common causes of warped paneling, especially in the basement. Even if water damage cannot be seen, moisture could still be the problem. Wood is porous and absorbs moisture from the air and walls behind it. Warped paneling is a sign that excessive moisture exists.
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Possible solution: A dehumidifier in your basement will remove excessive moisture caused by humidity in the air. Basement air, walls and floors are usually cooler than the upstairs. Warmer air from upstairs or outside entering the basement causes higher humidity levels. Prevent humid air from entering the basement by keeping doors and windows closed.
A moisture meter, which can be purchased at most home improvement stores, can locate and measure moisture levels in walls and floors. If a high moisture level is found and a humidifier does not solve the problem, or if you find water entering the basement through cracks in the walls or floors, contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
Water and moisture are the most common causes of peeling paint, especially in the basement. Even if water damage cannot be seen, moisture could still be the problem. Sometimes, though, the problem is not water-related. The paint could be of a substandard quality, applied over an improperly prepared surface, applied over an incompatible material, or there could simply be too many coats of paint.
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Possible solution: A dehumidifier in your basement will remove excessive moisture caused by humidity in the air. Basement air, walls and floors are usually cooler than the upstairs. Warmer air from upstairs or outside entering the basement causes higher humidity levels. Prevent humid air from entering the basement by keeping doors and windows closed.
A moisture meter, which can be purchased at most home improvement stores, can locate and measure moisture levels in walls and floors. If a high moisture level is found and a humidifier does not solve the problem, or if you find water entering the basement through cracks in the walls or floors, contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
Rust is the common term for corroded steel or iron. The reddish oxide produced is caused metal coming in contact with oxygen and moisture. Since moisture in the air is one of the most common causes of rust, decreasing the humidity in the air can reduce the likelihood of rust forming. Because your basement is below ground level, it will be cooler than the upstairs and so will everything you store in it. When warmer air from upstairs or outside enters your basement, it condenses as it comes in contact with metal objects, allowing moisture to collect on metal surfaces and causing them to rust.
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Possible solution: A dehumidifier in your basement will help eliminate moisture caused by humidity. Basement air, walls and floors are usually cooler than the upstairs. Warmer air from upstairs or outside entering the basement causes higher humidity levels. Prevent humid air from entering the basement by keeping doors and windows closed.
If a humidifier does not solve the problem, or if you find water entering the basement through cracks in the walls or floors, contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
Dry rot is caused by a fungus that destroys wood. Dry rot refers to the decay of timber in buildings and other wooden structures caused by this fungus. The wood is actually being “eaten” by the fungi. The fungus destroys the part of the wood that provides its strength and stiffness, resulting in a weakening of the structure of the home and the wood could eventually disintegrate completely. Moisture is the major cause of this fungus. Even though the wood is dry (dry rot), the moisture acts as a feeding agent for the fungus allowing it to grow. The moisture originates from either a leak, or from water that is able to pass over or under the footer of the home.
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Possible solution: Dry rot occurs when there’s too much moisture, not too little. The most important way to prevent dry rot damage is to eliminate excess moisture. This may be as simple as repairing a leaky pipe or as complicated as stopping water infiltration through a basement foundation. If you see signs of dry rot in your basement, contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
Rainfall and melting snow often result in water accumulation in a basement due to the ground being unable to absorb the water and the water table being higher than normal, creating hydrostatic pressure. The hydrostatic pressure is relieved as groundwater forces its way into your home through cracks in the foundation or floor.
Possible solution: Installation of outside or inside drains to relieve hydrostatic pressure and control water seepage. In many cases, interior drains can be installed in your basement to channel water away from the foundation and into the sump pit. The sump pump discharges the water to the outside and away from your home. Waterproofing stops water from ruining your walls, foundation, floors and belongings in the basement.
Contact Roto-Rooter Waterproofing for a free, onsite professional evaluation.
