Storming in the basement

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is teaming up to get the affected materials taken care of down in this home’s basement. Unfortunately, it was affected by water damage from a recent storm so we are working hard to put this family's home back together before the holidays.

There are a lot of different signs of water damage in the basement. Resolve.com listed these signs.

• Changes in color/texture of surfaces – Both walls and floors can show signs of water damage. In a finished basement, wallpaper or paint may peel or appear discolored (usually a yellow or brown color which indicates water stains). Walls may also warp or become bowed as a result of prolonged seepage. In an unfinished basement, a white, salty substance called efflorescence appears on foundation walls and indicates how high water has risen in the basement. If a basement has flooring, it may be swollen or removed from the subfloor. The under-padding in flooring (usually carpet) may also feel spongy, which is an indicator of water damage.
• Cracking – This will usually occur in the foundation and/or floor and can happen both inside and outside the home. The most common reasons cracking occurs from water damage is due to excessive moisture (from weather and climate) and inadequate drainage (oftentimes from expanding and/or soggy soil). Pay attention to cracks in window seals and door panes too, as this could point to water damage and also lead to bigger problems – like emergency flood repair – if not properly sealed to prevent any further moisture or water from leaking into the basement.
• Odor – While basements and crawl spaces usually have a certain smell, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a water problem. Pay attention to a strong damp, musty odor that doesn’t go away (even after a storm or wet weather). In most cases, it is mold or mildew that you smell, which means you’ve got moisture or water damage on your hands.
• Mold – If you can’t spot mold, you can sometimes smell it, so that’s why it’s important to pay attention to distinctive odors in the basement. Mold will appear on furniture, wood and other organic materials, walls and other surfaces either as dark green or black in color or sometimes a white powdery substance.

 If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365