Do you have a wet basement?

There is nothing worse than walking down to basement to find water at the bottom of the steps.  That may be a bit severe, but as a home inspector, we find signs of water intrusion quite often. Whether its a complete flooding, or just a pooling of water, the damage can be enormous.

If your buying a home, you probably would like to know if there is a current water problem in the basement, and if there has been a past problem. If you walk into the basement and see any water, well that's a dead giveaway that there is a problem. But what are the other signs to help determine if there is a water problem.
Some things to look for:

Musty odor - If the basement has an ongoing water problem the odor will stay around for some time.

Efflorescence -When water soaks into concrete, it leaches out the salt and mineral deposits within the concrete. The dry, white, chalky residue left behind is known as efflorescence. It can usually be seen on the basement walls. It is one of the best indicators of a wet basement, since the efflorescence can pinpoint where the water is entering the basement.

Spalling - Water in a concrete wall can cause the concrete to flake away, creating a hole or pocket in the wall.

Mold - Mold can lie dormant for a long time and all it takes is a bit of water to bring it to life.  Mold can be a major headache, not to mention a health risk.

Sump Hole - If a basement has a sump pump, that's a pretty good indication that there is water infiltration to the basement. The buyer should find out how often the pump runs. 

Horizontal Cracks - Poor drainage and grading of soil around a structure can cause water to drain slowly. This water will saturate the ground around the foundation walls, causing an increase in hydrostatic (water) pressure. As the combined forces of hydrostatic pressure and the natural weight of the soils surrounding the foundation bear down, it can exceed the weight-bearing capacity of the walls, causing them to crack, bow, or shear.

Regardless of what the cause is, water in the basement usually leads to larger and more complicated issues.  Always ensure that the basement is dry, or find out why not.  This can help determine whether you should buy the home or not.

Are your pipes protected

As the harsh days of January continue, we are finding record low temperatures across the country.  Most areas have not been spared, even the deep south.  This time of year, with freezing temperatures persisting for days on end,  homeowners need to be very aware of the potential threat of...yes, the dreaded pipe burst due to it being frozen.  According to State Farm Insurance, roughly a quarter million homes across the country are effected by pipes freezing and bursting each year.  A costly issue for the homeowner.  As the water freezes in the pipe, it creates pressure in the pipe and can cause a slight burst.  Most people assume that the pipe just bursts open.  In fact, most often, the culprit is a slight tear. An eight inch crack in a water pipe can spill 250 gallons of water a day.  A small hole, but a lot of water. Much reason for concern.

So what should a homeowner do?  To start, the pipes that are most likely to freeze are those that are located on the outside wall of the house. Although exterior walls should have proper insulation, the cold air still may find its way into the space and travel up the pipe, causing a freeze.  Pipes that run through the attic, garage, basement, and crawlspaces are also areas to identify.  These pipes should be insulated if they pose a threat.  Foam tubes can be purchased and wrapped around the pipes.  Pipe insulators will help keep the pipes warm, making it less likely that they will freeze.  Heat tape can also be used to wrap pipes.  Next, seal leaks that could allow cold air to reach pipes. To further reduce the risk of pipes freezing, disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.  If you have pipes that are located on an outside wall, such as a kitchen or bathroom sink, experts suggest opening the cabinet doors to expose the trap and pipes to the warmer interior air.  During  extremely cold periods, or if you are located in an area that remains below freezing for extended periods of time, it is also suggested that you leave the faucet open slightly, so that water is dripping out, both hot and cold.

What if your pipes freeze? Don't take a chance.  If you turn the faucet on and nothing comes out, the pipes may have frozen. Leave the faucets on and call a plumber.  Never use a torch to try and thaw the freeze. 

The thought of frozen pipes is a homeowners nightmare, however, with some simple maintenance and precautions, this can be avoided.