Investigating,Diagnosing and Treating Your Damp Basement

MOISTURE SOURCE:
Rain

MOISTURE ACTION AND RESULTING PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS:
-Water penetrating through basement walls
-Rot and decay of wood headers, joists, and sill plates
-Odour, mould, and mildew
-Lift-up of wallpaper and deterioration of wood finishes
-Discoloration, staining and texture changes of interior finishes and furnishings

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
-Add dehumidfier (keep basement windows closed) -Change grading around house

PRIMARY CAUSE: (1)
Surface run-off due to poor grading

MOISTURE SOURCE:
Rain

MOISTURE ACTION AND RESULTING PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS:
-Water penetrating through basement walls
-Rot and decay of wood headers, joists, and sill plates
-Odour, mould, and mildew
-Lift-up of wallpaper and deterioration of wood finishes
-Discoloration, staining and texture changes of interior finishes and furnishings
-Efflorescence, spalling or crumbling of concrete and masonry surfaces

PRIMARY CAUSE: (2)
Lack of, or defective,
eavestroughs/downspouts (on
householder's home
or adjacent buildings

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
-Add dehumidfier (keep basement windows closed) -Repair/add/redirect eavestroughs, downspouts

MOISTURE SOURCE:
Rain

PRIMARY CAUSE: (3)
Blocked drainage at base of
house's exterior walls

MOISTURE ACTION AND RESULTING PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS:
-Water penetrating through basement walls
-Rot and decay of wood headers, joists, and sill plates
-Odour, mould, and mildew
-Lift-up of wallpaper and deterioration of wood finishes
-Discoloration, staining and texture changes of interior finishes and furnishings
-Efflorescence, spalling or crumbling of concrete and masonry surfaces

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
-Clear exterior house wall weepholes/ install flashing