10 Signs That Indicate You Need Foundation Waterproofing

Your home’s foundation is meant to be the strongest part of the structure, but moisture and water issues can weaken this critical system over time. While proper waterproofing during the construction phase can prevent this damage, here are some signs that indicate your home needs professional foundation waterproofing to protect its structural integrity and prevent further moisture-related problems.

With a basement foundation, it’s often quite easy to see signs of foundation issues, but in Southern California, few homes feature a basement foundation. Most homes have a slab foundation, and some feature a crawlspace foundation, so let’s focus primarily on issues with slab and crawlspace foundations.

1. Cracks in Interior Floors

While all structures settle over time, due to the constant motion of the earth, if you begin to see cracks in your interior flooring, this often indicates a waterproofing issue. Our region is seismically active, so cracks can occur due to earthquakes. But if you start noticing cracks and we have not recently experienced a temblor, water and moisture are the likely cause.

2. Damp or Warped Flooring

Once water or moisture soaks through the slab, it will begin damaging the baseboards and then continue to your flooring. If you notice damp carpeting, damp wood floors or any warping of wood floors, this is a moisture-related issue, and either is caused by some type of pipe leak or a foundation issue.

If it’s a pipe leak, a plumber and water restoration company can help. If it’s a foundation issue, it’s best to find professional foundation waterproofing companies to fix the problem. A typical handyman or contractor will not have the same level of experience as a contractor from a waterproofing company, and you truly need this problem permanently fixed and as quickly as possible.

3. Swelling or Deterioration of Baseboards

Much like the previous sign, any type of issues with flooring or baseboards can indicate a foundation waterproofing issue. If you pull back carpeting and notice that the baseboards are swelling or breaking down, this indicates water intrusion, and you should contact a waterproofing company as quickly as possible to fix the problem.

4. Persistent Musty Odors

There can be many causes for persistent musty odors, but improper foundation waterproofing definitely can be a culprit. If odors persist, even after a deep clean, this is a cause for alarm and investigation.

In some cases, this issue could be caused by poor air flow and ventilation, and you may need to install better venting systems in your bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen, or perhaps improve the seals on doors and windows. A pinhole plumbing leak also can cause moisture issues, and these can be hard to spot.

5. Mold & Mildew Growth

There are many causes of mold spore growth, such as poor ventilation or a leaky pipe, but foundation issues also often lead to mold growth. Mold is toxic, and especially dangerous if anyone in your home has allergies, asthma, or a compromised immune system.

Generally, if you notice visible mold growth, there is likely mold in hidden areas, such as under floorboards and behind walls. It’s best to contact foundation waterproofing companies and mold remediation companies. A mold removal company can dry out the surfaces and safely remove all the mold, including hidden mold, and the waterproofing contractor can ensure the problem does not recur.

6. Efflorescence on Walls

This is a white, powdery residue, and when you spot it near the bottom of either exterior or interior walls, it indicates a moisture issue. This residue is actually the mineral salts left behind when water evaporates, and this can break down paint and coatings on your home’s masonry. While it’s not toxic, this sign indicates that there is more than enough moisture present to lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

7. Staining or Darkened Concrete

If you have exposed concrete flooring, which is still quite popular these days in many homes and businesses, and you notice staining or dark areas, this can indicate that you have a moisture intrusion issue and need foundation waterproofing.

8. Increased Indoor Humidity

If you notice issues such as condensation on windows, especially in the mornings, or issues such as peeling paint or wallpaper, high levels of humidity can be the cause. High indoor humidity also can cause musty odors and mold growth, and often an improperly waterproofed slab or crawlspace is the root cause. Improperly waterproofed or sealed doors and windows, and a lack of proper ventilation also can cause high humidity.

9. Termite Activity

If you notice any signs of termite activity, including droppings or actual live termites in your home, this is typically a sign of some type of moisture intrusion. This could be due to a foundation problem or a roof leak, but either way, the sooner you deal with the issue, the less likely you will need to pay for costly termite-related repairs. And, by the time you notice droppings or termites, they likely have been inside the structure of your home for a while, eating away at the wood in your walls and floorboards.

10. Standing Water & Muddy Soil

This sign relates primarily to crawlspace foundations, although standing water on a slab foundation is a very serious problem. Slab leaks can be caused by plumbing issues or improper draining and waterproofing and must be dealt with immediately.

With a slab leak, in addition to contacting foundation waterproofing companies, you also likely need to contact a water damage restoration company to help dry out the entire area and prevent further water damage and mold growth.

If you have a crawlspace and notice standing water and persistent muddy or damp soil, this can cause most of the problems listed above. Crawlspace waterproofing, particularly crawlspace encapsulation, can ensure that your foundation stays dry, although you also may need to add additional drainage around the perimeter of your home or regrade your yard to allow water to flow away from your foundation.

Basement Foundation Issues

In general, most homes built in Southern California after about 1950 do not feature a basement, although some homes built into hillsides will have foundations that are partially subterranean. Rest assured, if your home features a basement or subterranean area and you’re experiencing issues with water damage or moisture, our team can help.

We have extensive experience with subterranean foundation waterproofing. Many of our commercial clients feature structures that contain underground spaces, such as parking lots, and these structures need special attention during the construction process. While a homeowner’s basement is a much smaller space, the need for basement waterproofing is just as crucial to ensure that the overall structure remains strong.

What Causes Foundation Issues?

Generally, we see foundation moisture caused by surface water intrusion or hydrostatic pressure. In some cases, both of these may be in play. Let’s take a quick look at each.

Surface Water Intrusion

This occurs when rainwater or irrigation runoff is not directed properly away from your home and, instead, collects near the foundation. This can be caused by several factors, including:

• Improper Grading
• Clogged or Improperly Sized Gutters
• Clogged Downspouts (or downspouts that discharge too close to the foundation)
• Cracked or Missing Exterior Sealants
• Improper Drainage

Grading issues and drainage tend to be the two biggest factors, and as waterproofing contractors, we see these issues all the time. Your hardscape and driveway should drain away from your home, and you need to have adequate drainage systems throughout your property, but especially next to the foundation. Gutters, downspouts, drains, and grading all work together to protect your home’s structure from the rain. 

Below-Grade Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is, essentially, the pressure water exerts when it has nowhere else to go. This occurs when groundwater accumulates in the soil surrounding your foundation and exerts force on any below-grade structures or slabs. Water is pushed toward your slab or crawlspace structure and soaks into concrete and masonry. This often occurs with expansive soils, such as clay-heavy soil, which is common in Southern California.

While excessive rainfall will increase hydrostatic pressure, over-irrigation also can cause this to occur. Foundation waterproofing companies can apply waterproofing membranes or perhaps a waterproofing injection into the soil and utilize other types of waterproofing systems and waterproofing materials to prevent future problems and protect your home, but you also probably will need to add drainage, upgrade gutters, and regrade areas of your property, just as with surface water intrusion.

How Thome Waterproofing Can Help

At Thome, we can provide you with any type of below grade foundation and foundation waterproofing you might need. Whether you have a slab, a crawlspace or that rare So Cal basement, we can provide your best line of defense against water infiltration and help prevent future foundation repairs.

While we are one of Los Angeles’s top foundation waterproofing companies, we also offer many other waterproofing services, including all types of deck waterproofing, balcony waterproofing, planter waterproofing, and retaining wall waterproofing. We serve clients throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, so if you are seeing any of the signs listed above, give us a call, and we will provide a free cost estimate for our services.