Ways To Tell If The Basement Is Damp

A damp basement creates all kinds of issues for a homeowner.  Due to the below grade positioning of a basement, however, it’s a problem for many.  Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to problems like this so its important to know what preventative measures need to be taken.  But, what if you are in the process of looking for a home to buy? What are some signs that would indicate the basement has problems with damp?

While the basement itself will probably have some clear indications, there are other areas of the property to check also.  Making sure the property has the right amount of grade, for example, is important in determining whether the basement might have water issues.  If the grade is not right, you could find that water pools around the foundations, contributing to damp in the basement.

Along the roofline, the gutters and downspouts are other areas to check.  If they are not well maintained, you could see water problems in the basement.  Another factor is that downspouts should be positioned away from the property, 10 feet at least, so that water is directed away from the foundations.

So, before you purchase a property, there are ways of checking to see if you will experience damp issues with the basement.  These are important things to know about a home you are looking to buy.  If you would like us to inspect your potential new home, please feel free to contact us.