Common Reasons For Basement Moisture And How They Can Be Fixed

In most homes, a basement is a damp and dark place that hardly gets noticed until there is a problem. Unfortunately, many basements have moisture issues, some of which can prove to be serious. Here at Absolute Maintenance and Consulting, we work with homeowners dealing with various basement moisture problems. If your home’s basement is wet, here are the common reasons why and how our Los Angeles home waterproofing experts can fix the problem.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

When we here at Absolute Maintenance and Consulting meet with homeowners, we often discover the warning signs regarding basement moisture were present long before we arrived on the scene. Thus, don’t ignore sure warning signs that your basement has developed a moisture issue, such as:

• Condensation on Floors and Walls
• Mold and Mildew Odors
• Standing Water on the Floor
• Rotting Wood or Deteriorating Carpeting

Should you notice any of these signs of basement moisture, get in touch with us here at Absolute Maintenance and Consulting.

Common Sources of Basement Moisture

Since the moisture in your basement didn’t appear out of thin air, this means it came from one of a variety of sources. When we here at Absolute Maintenance and Consulting start examining a damp basement, we often find the moisture came from such common sources, including:

• Rain and Groundwater
• Entrance of Humid, Outside Air via Ventilation
• Interior Sources

Should you be wondering how any of these sources can lead to severe basement moisture problems, consider the following. If you have a 2,000 square-foot home here in Los Angeles, as little as one inch of rain can produce as much as 1,250 gallons of water coming down onto your home.

Interior Leaks

If you call our Los Angeles home waterproofing experts to solve your basement moisture dilemma, we will begin by looking around for interior leaks. A leak from a rusting pipe, washing machine, or sink may be the culprit in many instances. If so, these are usually easy repairs to make, often solving your problem.

Defective Gutters and Downspouts

When we find defective gutters and downspouts at an L.A. home, we know we’ve pinpointed the reason for the home’s basement being damp. If a home’s guttering and downspouts are not working correctly, water that is supposed to be led away from home instead stays near the foundation. Accumulating in the soil, it’s only a matter of time before it decides to come inside for a visit.

Foundation Cracks

Even if the cracks in the foundation are minuscule, water can still work its way through them and enter your home’s basement. We find this a problem with many homes here in L.A., often meaning structural damage may be present.

Drainage System Issues

Whether a home is older and has a sump pump or is newer and contains a subsurface drainage system, we often find basement moisture problems traced back to such things as a clogged pipe, broken sump pump, or broken connection.

Condensation

Finally, when hot outside air meets cool basement air, the result is condensation on walls and floors. To solve this problem, we recommend installing a basement exhaust fan, increasing air circulation with an AC unit, using a dehumidifier, or insulating certain basement areas.

If you are experiencing basement moisture issues and need professional assistance to deal with the problem, contact our Los Angeles home waterproofing experts here at Absolute Maintenance and Consulting by calling 310-256-2307. With our years of experience, fast and friendly service, and reasonable pricing, we’ll get the job done right the first time.

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