How to Check if Your Basement Waterproofing is Still Effective

A good waterproofing system can change a basement from a dark, damp hole to a wonderful liveable space. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and while you can do a lot to tackle seepage and water management, time will take its toll.

These things are generally best caught early. Acting at the first sign of your basement waterproofing starting to slip not only means the level of damage is kept low, it can save you a lot of money. But what are the signs that something is going wrong?

Signs of Ineffective Basement Waterproofing 

When water gets where it shouldn’t, it nearly always leaves a calling card. Unsurprisingly, the most obvious of these tell-tale signs is the dreaded puddle, but there are a range of more subtle markers to keep an eye out for too.

Visual Indicators 

Not all visual signs of water intrusion are damp when you notice them (though some will be). The three most common visual signs are:

• Water Stains and Discoloration on Walls and Floors: These distinctive brown splotches are a sure sign that something has been wet and likely will be again.
• Efflorescence: This white residue is formed from the minerals in your basement wall. As water seeps through, it drags some of these to the surface. When the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind as a chalky powder.
• Visible Cracks: These could be on either the floor or the walls of your basement. Not all cracks are a sign of water problems, but enough of them are that you should investigate. This is especially true if they’re growing, over 1/8^th” thick or seem damp.

Odors and Air Quality 

Even without a visual clue, water ingress could still trigger your other senses. While you’re keeping an eye on things, keep your nose open for the following:

• ‘Musty’ smells: It’s hard to describe ‘musty’ in text, but you’ll know the earthy smell when it hits you. It’s a combination of stale water and mold/mildew that often appears in an enclosed, damp space.
• Increased humidity: It may be possible to feel the air quality becoming more humid in your basement. A lack of ventilation means that damp air tends to get trapped down there and this can be exacerbated by seepage from outside too.

Recurring Water Issues 

A key sign that you need a reputable waterproofing company is failing will just keep on reoccurring, no matter how often you mop up. Puddles appearing in your basement after heavy rain or a constant seepage through the walls are both clear signs that something has gone wrong somewhere.

Regular Inspection Checklist 

The best way to avoid these issues happening and getting worse over time is to be proactive in your maintenance. The primary way of doing this is making sure you’re keeping a close eye on your basement for signs of things going wrong.

Follow this inspection checklist to make sure you’re not missing anything:

Interior Walls and Floors 

Keep a close eye on the state of your walls and floors. While evidence of a failure might be as obvious as a puddle forming after heavy rain, you should also look out for:

• Cracks: especially ones which seem to be growing
• Dampness: either staining or feeling moist to the touch
• Peeling paint: this suggests water is seeping from behind the paint.

Pay particular attention to the corners and the seams between walls, floors and ceilings. These are often weak spots and take longer to dry out.

Exterior Checks 

Checking the exterior of your basement might sound like you’ll have to do some digging, but in reality, you can tell a lot from looking at the surface. The ground should slope away from your walls (this is called grading), making an easy path for water to follow away from the foundation. Sometimes, this can be checked from the surface, though grading is often formed from packed clay, sloped against the walls and then covered over.

Another exterior thing to keep watch for is puddles forming against your walls or signs of erosion in the soil. Either of these will allow water to push against your basement’s defenses and eventually, it will find a way in.

Test Your Drainage 

Gutters, downspouts and French drains are all vital tools in combating water intrusion, so make sure they’re in working condition.

Gutters should direct water from your roof towards downspouts. You’ll have to ensure that they’re clear of obstructions like moss and leaves. Downspouts should run freely and extend at least 6 feet from your basement walls.  French drains should be kept clear too.

Test Your Sump Pump 

If you have a sump pump, you should regularly check to make sure it’s working. Since it’s a mechanical device, it will eventually wear out, but by staying ahead of this, you’re less likely to be caught off guard.

Testing is simple: open the cover and pour in a bucket of water. The pump should activate as the float switch is lifted. Check that the water starts to drain away properly and listen for any odd noises. It’s often worth scheduling professional sump pump maintenance to keep things running smoothly too.

Tools and Tests For a Deeper Assessment 

While the basic tasks outlined above should keep you ahead of the game, if you want to go deeper, you’ll need some tools.

• Moisture Meters: probes allow you to get an accurate reading from inside or even behind your drywall.
• Thermal imaging: standing water is generally a lower temperature than the material surrounding it.
• Radon and air quality tests: Higher humidity or radon levels than expected suggest cracks are forming somewhere.
• Simulated rain tests: targeted flows of water mimic the natural patterns of the weather. This allows you to test roofs, walls, windows and waterproofing without having to wait for storm season. You can even add colorants to the water so you can trace the path.

Common Maintenance Tasks to Keep Your Waterproofing Effective 

Keeping up with these tasks, alongside your regular inspections, will help avoid issues arising in the first place. None of them are particularly time-consuming and they can generally be worked into your usual upkeep routines.

First of all, you’ll want to ensure drains, downspouts and gutters are kept clear. You can install leaf guards to make this task even easier. Simply get a ladder and fish out the debris from your gutters then wash them out with water. Other drains can be snaked or even jet washed if necessary.

While working on your drains, check your sump pump. Fish any debris out of the pit, clear off the filter and make sure your battery backup is charged.

If you notice any cracks during your inspections, seal them. Smaller cracks can be fixed on a DIY basis with kits you can get at any decent hardware store. Larger ones are better left to the pros.

If you notice any sealants showing the signs of age- replace them or reapply them.

When To Call A Professional 

While a lot of routine maintenance can be done DIY, somethings are better done by the professionals.

If the problem persists after you try to fix it, there’s something going on that needs an expert investigation. Likewise, if your inspections turn up structural issues like cracks getting wider, walls bowing or floors heaving or pitting, that will need dealing with before it gets worse.

If your home’s waterproofing is getting older (10-15 years), it might be time to consider a more drastic overhaul. A professional eye will be able to advise you on what’s working, what’s not and what could be better, helping you balance cost and effect to tailor the best option for your home.

Benefits of Regular Waterproofing Inspections 

The primary reason to keep watch on your waterproofing is that a dry basement is a great extra space for your home. That’s far from the only reason though:

• Cost saving: water related problems tend to get worse overtime. The worse they are when you fix them, the more they’ll cost. Acting at the first sign can save you a fortune.
• Boost your home’s value: waterproof basements can add anything up to 25% to your final price when it comes time to sell.
• Health and Safety: Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, damaging your home’s air quality and your health. Likewise, water can lead to serious structural damage and no one wants a wall falling on them.

Keeping your waterproofing working means your home stays comfortable, healthy and safe.