Detecting a Wet Basement

Clued-in house hunters will take along a list of potential house problems to check as they scout for a new abode and a wet basement is usually at the top of that list. Here's how to detect a basement with chronic water problems, even if you haven't had rain for a spell.



Clues to a watery history:



Take a tip from the B-Dry System Owner's Association, a nationally licensed

basement waterproofing organization, and look for these tell-tale signs of a wet basement:



1. Excessive rust around the base of the washer, dryer, furnace, oil heater, or water heater.



2. Platforms to keep the washer, dryer, hot water heater, and furnace high and dry above the floor.



3. Water marks, discoloration, or signs of rotting on wooden stairs and basement furniture.



4. A powdery white coating or water stains along the bottom of paneling left by evaporating water.



5. Suspicious streaks or water lines on basement walls



6. Warped paneling or doors



7. Rust stains on the floor where no metal objects now sit.



8. Freshly painted floors and walls that might indicate a recent water damage cover-up.



9. The presence of a basement sump pump isn't always a sign of a waterlogged basement, but it should lead you to check for other signs. In many areas, local building codes routinely require the installation of sump pump or french drains system in new residential construction.



If you discover that your dream house has a leaky lower level, don't despair. Many wet basements can be permanently repaired with the right waterproofing system. Find out the cost of having the water problem solved. Then negotiate to deduct that amount from the home's sale price.