Damp Basement Effects - Bad for Your Home, Bad for Your Health

Wet basements are more than an inconvenience in the spring when you're busy vacuuming out the water in your rain boots.  That, unfortunately, is just the beginning.

One of the biggest issues we find with our customers is that previous basement problems are only partially fixed.  Yes, it's always the "cheaper" solution, but it only solves what the eye can see, and completely ignores the biggest issues that have a tremendous effect on both your home and family's health.

Top 10 Damp Basement Effects:

1. Destroyed flooring - Talk about expensive.  Sure, you can shampoo carpets to get rid of that musty smell... temporarily.  However, very rarely does a simple shampoo really solve the problem.  When water sits on flooring for even a short period of time, mold spores quickly develop, which are near impossible to truly eliminate without replacing the flooring.
2. Wall deterioration - Unless your walls are made of pure metal - and they're not - any dampness will cause the wall posts and sheetrock or other wall finishing products to slowly deteriorate.  
3. Increased heating and cooling - When there is humidity in the air, which is caused by damp basements, it takes a lot more energy to cool and heat your home.  After water is in your basement even once, you will literally be able to notice your energy bills increase substantially overnight.
4. Embarrassing odors - Nothing like watching the big game in your basement.... Big flatscreen, great surround sound, crock pots full of deliciously unhealthy foods that we all love.... and that distinct musty smell.  You know what I'm talking about!  That lingering odor is caused from mold... which all started the first time your basement had any sort of moisture in it that wasn't properly taken care of.
5. Decreased shingle life - Yes, that's right.  Basement dampness causes problems that rise all the way to your attic.  When there is humidity in the air, it forces shingles to crack and fold.
6. Ugly dust mites - This is the number one allergen in the U.S., and can cause all sorts of allergic reactions.  Damp basements are the perfect environment for these allergens to grow and spread throughout your home very quickly.
7. Mold allergies - Have you ever noticed how great you feel when you travel somewhere, and then how you get stuffed up or groggy as soon as you get home again?  It might be more than post-vacation blues.  Mold spores float freely throughout your home's air, and cause all sorts of respiratory problems.
8. Increased allergy sensitivity for young ones - Infants and young children are more prone to showing effects of pollutants caused from damp basements, which can lead to life-long allergy issues.
9. Home sales - One of the biggest topics that realtors discuss with potential home-buyers is the basement.  If there are any signs of basement dampness, it is the duty of the realtor to disclose this to the potential buyer, which obviously leads to a decreased likelihood of purchasing homes with these issues.
10. Radon - We've been hearing all about radon lately - the number one environmental cause for cancer deaths, and it is a big issue.  While not related directly to basement dampness, radon is caused by the same foundation problems that come with water in one's basement.  

Bottom line, if your home isn't sealed properly, there are a plethora of problems that you face as a homeowner.