Unwanted water is one of the top causes of basement and foundation trouble for homeowners in the Alabama area. There are several ways that water can seep into your basement or crawl space and weaken the structural elements of your home. If these conditions linger for any length of time, they may also lead to health issues for you and your family on top of the property risk.

There are a number of ways that unwanted water can enter your home. Natural causes like weather, soil conditions, ground water changes and geological pressure on the structural parts that support your home can be an early contributing factor.

These normal, external effects can be aggravated over time by variations in building materials and methods and maintenance issues. Left to themselves these additional factors can gradually make it easier for water to invade (and damage) your home.

Here are six of the most common reasons why moisture might be getting in:

1. From cracks in basement or crawl space walls
2. From leaky windows in the basement or crawl space
3. From underneath the footer
4. From over the footer
5. From cracks in the floor
6. From elevated levels of humidity leading to sweating walls

If you think one or a combination of these factors might be present in your home, it’s a good idea to have a qualified and reputable foundation specialist take a look. The mix of porous and water resistant soil types in Alabama make homes in the area especially susceptible to potential water leaks. Coastal plain conditions across Alabama extend many miles inland.

Signs that you may have water problems underneath your house

Fortunately, water leaves traces even after it recedes. Here are some of the trouble signs that Alabama area homeowners should watch for. The longer you wait, the more damage can spread and worsen, leaving you exposed to unnecessarily high repair costs.

• Obvious standing or flowing water in and around foundations and basement walls
• New or unusual stains or discoloration on interior basement walls and floors
• Musty odors or visible mold or mildew, especially where walls and floors meet
• Moisture or condensation around basement doors or windows during wet weather
• Expanding cracks or separations in concrete or masonry
• Elevated levels of humidity inside the home

Conditions like these could eventually lead to bowed basement walls or a general weakening of your foundation’s load-bearing capacity. Chances are that if you catch them early, repairs can be simple and affordable, but these issues never go away by themselves.

What to do if you suspect new or worsening basement or crawl space water issues

If you’re not doing it already, consider setting up a regular routine to visually inspect potential entry points of unwanted water – inside and outside your home. This doesn’t have to be a lengthy or complicated process, and you can combine it with your regular upkeep projects.

When you notice any suspicious changes, don’t wait. Contact a basement and foundation repair expert. The good ones will give you a no-cost, no-obligation assessment and let you know what your options are. They may recommend a few things you can do inexpensively for yourself, or recommend other corrective measures that work best for your home and budget.

Repair options may start with basic waterproofing steps to make sure that potential points of entry are properly sealed. For higher volumes of water, you might need to make some interior or exterior drainage improvements to draw water out and away from the house.

If your home is located in a higher risk area, or if you’re seeing frequent water intrusion beyond the normal weather changes that most homeowners experience, waterproofing is a remedy you may want to consider. This may include complete waterproofing treatment, plus an engineered lining that completely protects the basement or crawl space from outside moisture. Available dehumidification equipment can help resolve chronic air quality and humidity problems.

How to find the right help to waterproof your crawl space or basement

In regions like Alabama, basement and foundation repair companies of all sizes, (and from across the entire price, quality, and customer experience spectrum) will press you to get your business. Choose the low bidder, and you might end up with quality or service problems that offset any cost savings. With the biggest company, you risk becoming just another customer number.

SouthernDry is foundation repair company first, and we excel at basement and crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation services. The only reason we’re in business is to ensure decades of worry-free living in your home. We do that by offering you transparent, competitive pricing, and by staffing your job with people who care personally about delivering great work and great value.

With SouthernDry, you get one-on-one attention from first estimate to final repair. We’ll answer your questions, make the recommendations that are in your best interests and stand by you until the job is done to your satisfaction. In the unlikely event that something’s out of order, we’ll come back promptly and make it right. Homeowners like you choose us over the big box companies because we’re relentless about quality.

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