Signs Your House Has a Drainage Problem

Drainage issues that cause water seepage or leaks in your crawl space or basement can cause considerable damage if they’re not noticed and addressed promptly. While some issues like overflowing gutters are pretty easy to spot, others are more subtle. Here are some of the less obvious signs of drainage problems that you should be aware of.

Crusty Deposits on Basement Walls

If you discover white or gray crusty areas on your basement walls, you’re seeing the mineral deposits that are left behind when water evaporates. Also called efflorescence, these deposits point to poor grading around the foundation, clogged or damaged gutters or misdirected downspouts. Another issue that can occur when water condenses on the walls is spalling, where large chunks of the masonry material flake and fall off.

Water-Stained Basement Walls

When water stains appear on your basement walls, they may be evidence of rising dampness, surface water seeping in through the masonry, or fluctuations in the water table. To get the problem under control and prevent a future recurrence, you may need to have a sump pump installed or get the basement walls professionally waterproofed.

Significant Foundation Cracks

It’s normal for some small cracks to appear in the foundation over time as your home settles. Foundation cracks that widen to over 1/8 inch deserve prompt attention, though. Just like deposits and stains on the basement walls, cracks are typically a symptom of guttering problems or an insufficient slope in the soil around the foundation.

Mildew in the Attic

You may not realize it, but mildew growth on the underside of your roof can be directly related to a moisture intrusion in your basement or crawl space. As moisture rises through the structure of your home and condensation forms on the underside of the roof sheathing, mildew can eventually damage both the sheathing and shingles.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues — especially HVAC and plumbing issues — so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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