leaky-basement-morganville-nj-select-basement-waterproofing-3

Identifying the Telltale Symptoms of a Leaky Basement

A leaky basement can be a homeowner’s nightmare, leading to costly repairs, structural damage, and health hazards. To prevent extensive damage, it’s crucial to recognize the early warning signs of a basement leak. In this article, we’ll explore the common symptoms of a leaky basement, enabling you to take prompt action to protect your home and investment.

  1. Damp or Musty Odors

One of the first signs of a leaky basement is the presence of damp or musty odors. These unpleasant smells are often an indicator of mold and mildew growth, which thrive in damp environments. As moisture infiltrates your basement, it creates the ideal conditions for these microorganisms to flourish. Detecting these odors early can help you address the issue before it escalates.

  1. Mold and Mildew Growthleakage in the basement t20 K6dv90 620x465 1 300x225 Identifying the Telltale Symptoms of a Leaky Basement

Visible mold and mildew growth are clear indications of excessive moisture in your basement. Mold often appears as dark spots or patches on walls, floors, or ceilings. Mildew, on the other hand, tends to be white or gray and may grow in corners or on surfaces with organic material.

Not only do mold and mildew compromise indoor air quality, but they also pose health risks to occupants. Allergies, respiratory problems, and other health issues can result from exposure to mold spores.

  1. Water Stains and Discoloration

Water stains and discoloration on your basement walls or floor are obvious signs of water infiltration. These stains can range in color from light yellow to dark brown and are typically accompanied by a noticeable change in the texture of the affected surface. Identifying and addressing these stains promptly can prevent further damage.

  1. Efflorescence

Efflorescence is a white, powdery substance that can appear on basement walls and floors. It forms when water infiltrates the masonry materials in your basement, dissolving minerals and depositing them on the surface as the water evaporates. While efflorescence itself is not harmful, it is a clear indicator of ongoing moisture issues.

  1. Cracks in Basement Walls or Floors

Cracks in your basement walls or floor can allow water to seep in. These cracks may be small and barely noticeable or larger and more obvious. Over time, water can widen these cracks, leading to more significant problems.

  1. Peeling Paint or Wallpaper

If you notice peeling paint or wallpaper in your basement, it may be due to moisture infiltration. Water can cause paint to blister and peel, and it can also loosen wallpaper adhesive. Addressing the underlying moisture issue is essential to prevent further damage to your basement finishes.

  1. Puddles or Standing Water

Visible puddles or standing water in your basement are clear signs of a leak. While this symptom may be the most obvious, it often indicates a significant problem that requires immediate attention. Standing water can cause structural damage and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

  1. Damaged or Warped Items

If you store items in your basement, keep an eye out for any that appear damaged or warped. Books, cardboard boxes, and wooden furniture are particularly susceptible to water damage. These items can warp, swell, or develop mold growth when exposed to moisture.

  1. High Humidity Levels

High humidity levels in your basement can also be a symptom of a leaky basement. You can measure humidity using a hygrometer. Ideally, indoor humidity should be between 30% and 50%. If your basement consistently exceeds this range, it’s a sign that excess moisture is present.

  1. Insect and Pest Infestations

Moisture in your basement can attract pests like termites, ants, and cockroaches. These insects are drawn to damp environments and can cause damage to your home. If you notice an increase in pest activity inwarning1 big 300x225 Identifying the Telltale Symptoms of a Leaky Basement your basement, it may be related to a water issue.

Identifying the symptoms of a leaky basement is crucial for preventing further damage to your home and safeguarding your family’s health. Damp or musty odors, mold and mildew growth, water stains, efflorescence, cracks, peeling paint, puddles, damaged items, high humidity levels, and insect infestations are all clear indicators of moisture infiltration.

If you observe any of these signs, it’s essential to take action promptly. Addressing the source of the leak, whether it’s from surface water, groundwater, plumbing issues, or poor drainage, is critical to preventing more extensive damage and costly repairs. Consulting with a professional basement waterproofing specialist is often the most effective way to identify and resolve the root cause of a leaky basement, ensuring a dry and healthy living environment for your home.

Contact the Professionals at Select Basement Waterproofing Today! 

basement-waterproofing-morganville-nj-select-basement-waterproofing-3

Common Errors in the Installation of Basement Waterproofing Membranes Morganville, NJ

Common Errors in the Installation of Basement Waterproofing Membranes Morganville, NJ

Basement waterproofing membranes are an essential component for protecting the structural integrity of a building’s foundation and the building in general. These membranes prevent water from penetrating and damaging the foundation. However, many property owners still don’t take waterproofing seriously. Many don’t take the time or invest the money in hiring professionals to waterproof their basements.

Errors that result in failure of basement waterproofing membranes

Basement waterproofing membranes generally come in their liquid or sheet form. No matter what type of waterproofing membrane you choose for your foundation, it is important that it is installed correctly. Poor installation will greatly impact its performance. Errors in application can result in membrane failure and flooding of your foundation. Below, we discuss some of the most common mistakes made in the installation of waterproofing membranes.basement waterproofing 300x200 Common Errors in the Installation of Basement Waterproofing Membranes Morganville, NJ

  1. Choosing the wrong waterproofing membrane

There are a wide range of choices for waterproofing membranes available in the market. However, not every material is suitable for your foundation. Every material is designed for specific applications. They are designed to meet different requirements and are suitable under different conditions and in different environments. It is important to choose the right material for your foundation to avoid failure.

  1. Applying an excessively thick layer

Applying liquid waterproofing membranes can be tricky. The membrane must be applied to the correct thickness. This requires a good understanding of the membrane as well as experience with installing these products under different conditions. Applying an excessively thick membrane can result in re-emulsification of the membrane. This in turn will cause the membrane to split when it cures, leaving gaps through which water can penetrate your foundation walls.Waterproofing Membranes 300x171 Common Errors in the Installation of Basement Waterproofing Membranes Morganville, NJ

  1. Uneven application

It is important to ensure uniform thickness of the membrane throughout the foundation surface. This provides for better performance throughout the foundation. Uneven application during installation results in thicker coats in some areas and thinner coats in others. Thicker areas will restrict movement of the foundation, while thinner coats will tear easily under minimal movement.

  1. Not paying attention to joints between membrane sheets

Paying attention to the joints between the membrane sheets during the installation process is critical to the performance of the membrane. These joints must be done properly in order to avoid leakage.

You can avoid the errors outlined above by hiring a professional and experienced basement waterproofing contractor. You can rely on their experience and knowledge to provide you with great results.

Contact the Professionals at Select Basement Waterproofing Today! (732) 526-7770

mold-remediation-morganville-nj-select-basement-waterproofing-3

4 Signs You Need Mold Remediation Morganville, NJ

4 Signs You Need Mold Remediation Morganville, NJ

When mold grows in your home, it can cause severe respiratory illnesses and problems such as nose, skin, and eye irritation. In addition to causing health issues, mold is also notorious for damaging different types of structures in homes, such as drywall, paint on walls, and wooden materials.

Mold remediation is the process of removing mold from areas that have been infested and cleaning and sanitizing these surfaces so that there is no recurrence of mold growth. The aim of mold remediation is to ensure that all mold particles, including spores, have been eliminated so that there is no chance for the mold to grow again.

Mold remediation is particularly necessary if your home is prone to having large growths of mold. Knowing the factors that contribute to heavy mold infestations can help you tell if your home needs mold remediation. Here are four key signs you need to know.mold prevention youngstown oh ohio state waterproofing 2 4 Signs You Need Mold Remediation Morganville, NJ

  1. Musty odors

Even if your building does not have visible signs of mold, musty smells indicate that the fungi do exist. This is because as mold grows, it produces smelly compounds. So the mold may be hidden somewhere or even trapped in humid air within your basement or rooms. Mold remediation ensures that all mold is eliminated.

  1. Water intrusion occurrences

Cases of water intrusion include events such as flooding, plumbing leaks, and seepage of water from outside through cracks in the foundation. The wet or humid conditions that result from water intrusion create a perfect environment for the growth of mold.

  1. Discoloration or stains on walls, ceilings, and drywall

The occurrence of patches that may be black, gray, greenish, or brown on surfaces such as ceilings, walls, and drywall is a clear indication that mold is growing in your building. Large mold infestations need to be removed through mold remediation.download 4 Signs You Need Mold Remediation Morganville, NJ

  1. Illness symptoms that are consistent with mold problems

Musty smells associated with mold can cause irritation of the eyes and nose. If your house or basement has mold as a result of high humidity, you are also likely to have any of the following health issues:

  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Nasal and sinus congestion
  • Itchy and watery eyes
  • Nosebleeds
  • Tightness of the chest
  • Difficulty breathing

If you experience any of the above symptoms each time you visit spaces such as the basement or others that are not well-ventilated, this is an indication that the spaces have mold growths that need to be removed.

Contact the Professionals at Select Basement Waterproofing Today! (732) 526-7770

Crawlspace Waterproofing | Middletown, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Who Cares About Crawlspace Waterproofing? You Should Middletown, NJ

As a homeowner, you have enough to worry about and take care of around the home. You might consider areas such as the crawlspace unimportant. If this sounds like you, you are mistaken. You may even be one of the many homeowners who think that water in your crawlspace is okay and normal. Again, this is a mistake. Instead of wondering who cares about crawlspace waterproofing, ask yourself if this is something that should concern you. If you have water in your crawlspace, it is something that you should be worried about for many reasons. crawl space waterproofing 300x225 Who Cares About Crawlspace Waterproofing? You Should Middletown, NJ

Mold and Mildew Spreads

If your crawlspace is wet or even just moist, you run the risk of mold and mildew. Don’t automatically assume that the mold infestation is going to stay in the crawl space. Mold can spread and could find its way upstairs to your living space. Mold can cause a variety of ailments that can impact you and your family. Mold can cause headaches, sneezing, stuffy nose, asthma, and more. It needs oxygen, water, and food. All these things that are plentiful in your crawlspace.

You Think You Don’t Have Food in Your Crawlspace.

When you read about what mold needs to grow, you may have thought to yourself that you do not have food in your crawlspace. You may not have food that you would want to eat, but you do have food that mold enjoys.

  • The wet and humid crawl space environment is attractive to insects. As insects die in your crawlspace, they are the perfect thing for mold to feed.
  • Rodents also enjoy living in a wet crawl space.
  • Don’t be surprised to learn that snakes are living in the area, as well.

While the crawl space is not hospitable for humans, insects, rodents, and snakes find the conditions to be perfect.

Air Rises

A wet crawl space is not a healthy crawlspace. The air is unhealthy, and as you know, air rises. That unhealthy air is going into your home. You may not even notice it, but it’s happening.

This information should help you understand why you should care about having your crawlspace waterproofed. Don’t let mold, insects, rodents, and unhealthy air overtake your home. You put so much care and effort into keeping your home clean and healthy, don’t stop at the crawlspace. Call the professional waterproofing company to inspect, diagnose, and waterproof your space.

Contact the Professionals at Select Basement Waterproofing Today! (800) 593-8379

Foundation Repair | Trenton, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Do You Need Foundation Repair in Morganville NJ

Foundation Repair in Morganville NJ

Every homeowner takes pride in their home. A lot of time and resources go into making a home comfortable and for most homeowners, home improvement projects are a lifetime undertaking. With most home improvement projects focusing on aesthetics and functionality of the property, one area that receives little attention is foundation repair.

Most homeowners wait until it is tool late before initiating foundation damage inspection and repair. Failure to repair your home’s foundation early could lead to structural failure, flood damage in the basement, health risks caused by mold growth in the basement, diminished value of your home among other risks. When you consider the sacrifices you made to buy or build your house, it becomes obvious that repairing a damaged foundation must be a priority.

With this in mind, it is important to be proactive in home maintenance to ensure any form of foundation damage is detected early as this allows you to initiate immediate repairs. Some of the warning signs of foundation damage that you should be one the lookout for include:

  1. Water in the Basement

Foundation cracks caused by a bowing or bulging foundation could allow water entry due to unrelenting lateral pressure from the soil surrounding the walls. Water seepage through foundation walls comprises the integrity of the foundation and also poses the risk of flood damage. Water in the basement also leads to toxic mold growth, which causes health problems. Rusting, wood rot, effervescence on walls and peeling wall paint are signs of water seepage into the basement.

  1. Developing Gaps between Structures

If you have noticed Gaps between caulking and windows or doors, or between the crown molding and the ceiling, it is highly likely you are dealing with foundation damage. The gradual movement of the foundation walls causes these structures to pull apart and you should immediately call in a certified foundation contractor for diagnostic tests and foundation repair.

  1. Cracks in different Parts of the Structure

In addition to foundation cracking, you should also look for zig-zag cracks in a brick wall, interior walls on the dry wall, stair case cracks, and floor cracks among others. You should never initiate crack repairs with epoxy or other sealants without first carrying out a thorough inspection of the foundation.

  1. Structure Movement

Gaps are also common when the foundation is moving due to any form of damage, so lookout for gaps between caulking and windows or doors and also between crown molding and the ceiling.

Other things to look for include movement of patios away from the main house, sloping of floors, bowed basement walls, Sunken Floors, jamming doors and windows. Any of these signs necessitates foundation repair by a certified foundation contractor.