Crawl Space Repair - 4 Indications Your Newburgh, IN Basement Needs a Waterproofing System

Situated along the Ohio River, Newburgh, IN has always had a high water table. There is a higher level of groundwater in Newburgh as you get closer to the river. Since the economic and building boom of the 1960's and 70's, the majority of Newburgh homes were built with crawlspaces rather than basements. Unfortunately, crawlspaces are just as prone to flooding as basements.

Here are 4 indications that your Newburgh, IN basement needs a waterproofing system:

1. Efflorescence or staining on Crawlspace foundation walls

Efflorescence is a mineral crusting, or build up that occurs when groundwater penetrates concrete foundation walls, or slabs and then evaporates. The minerals in the groundwater are left behind as a tell tale sign that water is penetrating the Crawlspace. Similarly, staining on Crawlspace walls from water penetration is an equally important sign that your Crawlspace is experiencing flooding our lesser groundwater penetration.

2. Increased Relative humidity

Another way to tell that you need a waterproofing system installed in your Crawlspace is if you have an increased relative humidity. This is a concern because even a couple of percentage point increase can create the perfect environment for mold growth, fungal infestation, warping of wood, and other problems. If your relative humidity is too high in your Crawlspace, it is important to dehumidify the area and encapsulate it to ensure that you don't have a mold problem on your hands.

3. Moist soil, musty scent, etc

Moist soil is the most obvious sign that you need to waterproof your Crawlspace. Moisture, especially in correlation to recent rainfall, means that water has found a way into the Crawlspace and without intervention, will continue to do so. Muddy soil makes a Crawlspace colder in the winter and more humid in the summer, leading to strain on your HVAC system and a loss of valuable storage space in your home.

4. Settling, cracking, or bowing foundation walls

Settling, cracking, or bowing foundation walls aren't usually top of mind when it comes to looking for indications you need to waterproof. There is; however, a sound logic to it. The earth around your home experiences settling or expansion due to the presence or absence of water. The more water that is present in silty clay soil, for example, the more it swells and presses in on foundation walls. This leads to bowing and cracking that makes your foundation weaker. When sandy soil becomes saturated, it settles. This causes the foundation walls to sink down, but often, it is not a uniform settling. You may see settling along one wall, or a part of a wall because the soil around your home is a mixture of layer of sand and silty clay.

If you're noticing these four signs of water problems in your Crawlspace, it's time to have Healthy Spaces come out to perform a thorough evaluation of your home. They are ready to solve your wet Crawlspace problems, foundation issues, and mold concerns. Healthy Spaces offers free, no obligation estimates because we believe you shouldn't have to pay to find out how to repair your wet Crawlspace problems.