Excess Moisture Near Plumbing?

Excessive moisture in a home can cause building materials to rot and the buildup of unhealthy mold, fungus and mildew. Though leaky pipes often create moisture problems in bathrooms, walls and kitchens, homeowners tend to forget about the basement. It’s not a bad idea to have a plumber conduct a thorough inspection every once in awhile. They just might find one of the following common sources of excessive moisture:

1. Many homeowners don’t visit the basement unless it’s absolutely necessary. It’s easy to miss a leaky pipe. Moisture buildup and flooding can result in expensive repairs. Regular basement inspections by a plumbing professional are fast and economical.

2. Water runoff from melting snow or heavy rainfall can easily find its way into the basement. It may be necessary to seal the basement or do a little preventive landscaping. Take care not to shovel the snow next to the house, and have a local plumber look for cracks in the basement walls.

3. Uninsulated cold water pipes and cold basement walls can produce condensation. Be on the lookout for damp appliances, walls or carpeting.

4. Nobody wants to clean out the gutters, but clogged gutters are bound to overflow. Depending on the lay of the land, that overflowing water may end up in the basement.

5. When a basement drain backs up, the basement and house will be unnecessarily damp. The drain could be clogged with thirsty roots or silt. Either way, a local plumber can solve the problem.