| Moisture Problems |
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Moisture is a house’s enemy. Standing water on a floor, running down a wall, or dripping from a ceiling is a red flag that says, “Hey, we have a problem here!”. Unfortunately, “here” isn’t always where the problem started. Water from a roof leak can first show up a great distance from the entry point. A gutter’s broken downspout can dump water along a basement wall instead of carrying it away from the building. A leaky pipe under the floor can carry water many feet before it finally drops off on to the basement floor. Or a crack in the concrete floor can allow water to seep up from the ground and puddle. So, of course, you want to know if your basement is dry before finishing it off. Is that wet spot condensation from moisture in the room or is it seeping through a wall or floor? To find out, simply tape a 1-foot square piece of cellophane or aluminum foil tightly against the concrete wall and another against the concrete floor in various locations around the basement. Come back in 24 hours and touch the outside surface. If it is wet, the cause is condensation in the room. Then peel back the cover and look for moisture underneath. If moist or wet, the cause is seepage; water is somehow getting through. How does water seep through a concrete floor or wall? Easily! Concrete is porous and the only way to stop seepage is by sealing the concrete. It’s best to seal the concrete on the exterior so that it never enters the foundation or floor. However, if the foundation is already in place and backfilled (dirt is pushed up against it), it may be difficult to excavate and seal the foundation. The second option is to seal the concrete on the inside of the home. That means putting up a vapor or moisture barrier (usually some type of plastic sheeting) that keeps water out.
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