WET BASEMENTS

I was walking thru a foreclosure the other day with a buyer. No electricity, somewhat rough condition and when we headed down the basement, we were met with about two feet of standing water! Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence, especially with foreclosures.

What to look for

Exterior

• Insufficient or negative grade along the edge of the home--You want at least 1" of slope away from the house for every 12".


• Gutters are almost a necessity.


• Is there a pond, standing water or marsh nearby? Compare the level of the water with the floor level of the basement.

Interior

• Badly cracked or bowed concrete walls are a sign of potential water pressure on the outside of the home's foundation.


• Water marks on the walls, the floor or the trim boards are signs that the basement gets wet on occasion.


• Faint lines on the concrete floor or walls or as noticeable as swollen or soft wall board. Also, look for efflorescence or a white chalky material which is the minerals being pushed thru the cinder block by the outside water.

Some wet basement conditions can be easily remedied by installing gutters, longer downspouts or re-grading the ground away from the home's exterior. Extensive mold or high ground water levels however are MUCH more difficult to remedy if a remedy is even possible. Use caution and look for the warning signs!