How To Inspect Your Finished Basement In 30 Minutes

A flooded basement is a huge headache that can cost a fortune to repair. By setting aside 30 minutes to thoroughly inspect your basement each year and take any necessary preventative measures, you can keep the integrity of your basement intact and reduce the risk of flooding, mold growth and pest infestation, and avoid the costly repairs that can come with these issues. After a thorough basement inspection, it's important to implement strategies for maintaining a dry basement. Our team at Basement Finishing Colorado recommends the following steps for inspecting your finished basement in 30 minutes:

It only takes a few minutes to check the walls and floor of your entire basement for cracks and signs of leaking water. If you find any small cracks, make sure to check them every few months to make sure they aren’t getting bigger. If you find a big crack or water leak, this will need to be repaired professionally and right away. In a professional basement inspection, the inspector will look for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor on your walls. If you notice this type of film near the bottom of your walls, you will want to bring a professional in to inspect and find solutions to this issue.

If your basement is finished, the walls will be covered by drywall and the floors will be covered with carpet, cork, hardwood or whichever flooring material you have chosen. This makes it difficult to detect the presence of water on your walls or floor after rain. One tip for detecting water in this situation is to feel around for wet spots and discoloration in the carpet or look for moisture or loose tiles on hard surface floors. The corners of the flooring are more susceptible to collecting moisture, so you’ll want to pay special attention in those places. It is nearly impossible to detect water behind drywall, but a musty smell is a strong indication that mold or mildew is growing behind the drywall.

 Of course, the visible presence of mold or mildew on the walls is a dead giveaway that there is a water leakage or moisture issue. Pay special attention to the bottom of your walls, near the baseboards. Painted walls that are bubbled or peeling indicate moisture. If you see rust on metal surfaces, this is another indication of a moisture issue. If you or anyone in your home starts having allergy symptoms, headaches, or breathing issues, this may also point to the presence of mold in your home and a serious health hazard.

Make sure to check your sump pump every six months. The sump pump pulls water from around the basement and transfers it outside and away from the house. If your sump pump is not functioning correctly, water can collect around and under your basement and cause flooding.

Make sure to look closely for signs of rodent or pest infestation in your basement. Mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons may leave droppings, create nests, or chew through wires. Look for insects, especially around the floor and ceiling perimeter, and take note of any dead insects you find. 

Certain insects are attracted to damp environments and may point to a moisture issue in your basement. These include centipedes, carpenter ants, earwigs, roaches, and termites. Check any exposed wood for deterioration due to termites. If you find evidence of rodents or pests, an exterminator can help you form a plan for removing them from your basement and preventing more from entering. 

Take a quick look at the exterior of your basement, as well. If you see visible cracks in the foundation, you will want to check on these frequently to make sure they aren’t growing. Even a small crack can allow water to seep into the basement. Look at the soil around the perimeter of the foundation. Does it slope toward the house or away from it? If the soil slopes toward the house, gravity is pulling rainwater and melted snow down toward the foundation, where it can leak into the basement. Adding soil to the perimeter of the house so that water drains away from the foundation is a great idea to prevent this. 

For more information on basement inspection, call Basement Finishing Colorado at (303) 697-1702 today, or get your free consultation online! We can’t wait to help you get started on your exciting basement finishing project!