Home Inspection? Don't Forget the Basement

Are you getting ready for a home inspection? If so, it can be easy to overlook the basement. In most homes, the basement is located somewhere below the first floor. Most basements have a minimum height of 6 feet and 8 inches. Basements come in all styles: they may be unfinished or finished, and they may be completely renovated and be used as living areas.

Most often, basements are used for storage capacity, in order to file away surplus personal belongings. However, because they are typically located in out-of-the-way locations, many basements are also used to store major house mechanical systems. These may include the HVAC system, the main plumbing controls and the electrical panel.

Basements are certainly privy to certain problems. For instance, it is estimated that 90 to 95 percent of all basements will experience water damage-related problems at some time. This can be a major headache if the water manages to damage personal belongings that are stored in the basement. The basement can also cause damage to vital mechanical systems.

Serious water damage can even lead to structural problems. Furthermore, basement water damage is a known culprit of mention of health problems that are caused by mold and mildew caused by the excessive moisture. Water damage and excessive moisture in the basement area can also lead to wood destroying fungus. This type of fungus can lead to the infestation of wood destroying insects, most notably termites.

How can you prevent this kind of water damage in the first place? Here are some tips for avoiding basement water damage.

Avoiding or Controlling Basement Water Penetration.

The first thing to be done if you are experiencing water damage in your basement is to locate the source of the water damage. Chances are that your water damage is being caused by surface runoff. This can result from either surface moisture, which can come from rain, melting snow or just a household leak. Surface water most often pools behind the foundation wall.

However, sometimes moisture penetration may also be a result of regular old groundwater. This can happen when groundwater in the soil (water table) rise above the level of the basement floor or slab.

Once you have identified the source of surface water, you will have to consider the following things:

• The severity of the water runoff and damage
• The frequency of water runoff and penetration
• Your budget for remedying the situation
• The type of basement foundation
• The foundation material, whether it is poured concrete, concrete block, stone
• Whether you need to prevent future runoff or manage the runoff.

If you cannot stop the water from coming, you will have to find some way to redirect it. Does your home have a gutter and downspout system? And does it work in conjunction with proper surface grading around your home? If not, your inspector will have to look for an exterior perimeter drain. An exterior perimeter drain is one of the easiest ways to divert water away from your home and to prevent future water penetration in the basement.