Water might seem harmless, but if it’s allowed to flow freely, it can destroy the structural integrity of your home.
If you notice signs of water damage in your home, you need to act immediately to ensure the water drains away. Here are four common signs your home has a drainage problem that needs rectifying.
There are cracks in your foundation
When moisture builds up around your home, it exerts hydrostatic pressure on your foundation, and this pressure can form cracks. Not all cracks pose an immediate danger to your home, but cracks that are large, growing, or leaking require examination by a professional posthaste. If your home is cracking severely, you’ll need a new drainage solution to protect it, and soon.
You smell—or see—mold
Does your home stink with the dank scent of mold? Or have you spotted tiny green globules growing freely on the walls? Mold flourishes in areas where moisture is plentiful. If moisture can’t drain properly from your home, it will condense behind your walls and under your carpets, attracting mold in the process.
Your gutters overflow
Does your gutter gush like a water slide every time it rains? This is a possible indicator that debris, such as pine needles, leaves, and twigs, is clogging it. Alternatively, gushing gutters can happen because the gutters were improperly installed or pitched. If this is the case, you may need to have them replaced.
There are water stains in the basement
If the drywall in your basement is excessively damp and showing stains, you could potentially have a drainage issue. Individual splotches high up on the wall or on the ceiling typically indicate an issue with clogged gutters or standing water. Suppose you notice a uniform line of water stretching across the basement. In that case, it could mean your home is in an area with a fluctuating water table that’s letting water leak inside.
Drainage problems aren’t fun, but by keeping an eye out for these four common signs your home has one, you can catch them early and prevent severe damage to your home.
