Did you know water damage can drastically decrease your home’s value? And not just because of the damage it causes.

Homeowners may be apprehensive about investing in a water-damaged home unless the situation has been resolved. With good reason, too. The damage water issues can bring to your home are both expensive and unsafe.

In this month’s post, we’ll outline how water damage can destroy your home. We’ll also review some signs that water damage may be rearing its ugly head.

Questions or think your home is showing signs of water damage? Contact us today!

Mold damage

When water enters your home and goes unnoticed, mold and mildew can grow and utterly destroy your home.

More than anything else, the presence of mold in your home will cause the air quality to decrease rapidly. This can make it harder to breathe in your home and cause issues such as:

Throat irritation
Stuffy nose
Coughing
Wheezing
Eye irritation
Skin irritation

The effects of these are particularly prevalent in individuals with lung disease or immune disorders. These individuals could even develop serious infections. People with respiratory issues such as asthma are at risk too, and some studies have even suggested that asthma can develop with enough exposure to mold.

Worse yet, once mold has entered the home, spores are easily spread through your home’s HVAC system. Once the spore has found a solid surface, all it needs is moisture to grow and become a nuisance.

Wood-decay fungi

While mold itself cannot destroy the structure of your home, decay fungi can ravish your home’s value by eating away at the wood structure.

Fungi grow under similar conditions as mold, and eat away at wood over time. This destroys the stability of your home and causes lasting problems. Once fungi have developed, it’s hard to fully eradicate the problem. Decay fungi can come back even once the wood has been treated. This means you can never be sure it’s gone without fully replacing the infected timber.

Basement or foundation damage

Your foundation and basement need to be in good condition for the long-term stability of your entire home. Issues with your foundation can lead to larger issues with your home’s structure.

This often happens due to pooling water around the foundation, causing a shift in the foundation due to pressure forced on it. Without a solution, the situation will only get worse and worse.

If you notice this issue, it must be resolved immediately to halt any further problems. Some signs to look out for that indicate water drainage issues with your foundation include:

Changes in the color or texture of basement walls or floor: Noticing water damage in finished basements is often easy, as you’ll notice discoloration on painted walls and see damaged carpet or flooring (plus you’re likely there more). Unfinished basements and walls are trickier, but you should still notice marks indicating water has made its way through, such as a white salty-looking substance on walls or a swollen basement floor.
Cracking: Either inside or outside, cracking in your foundation is a serious sign that there is water damage. Also keep an eye out for cracks in window seals or door panels.
Mold: We touched on how damaging mold can be above. Mold in your basement could be a sign that there is an even more serious problem in the stability of your foundation.

Learn more about waterproofing basements and foundations.

Crawl space damage

Even more than basements, crawl spaces can become a hotbed of water damage. Since most people keep their crawl spaces out of sight and out of mind, they are a common place where water damage develops unabated.

While it may seem like this doesn’t matter, crawl spaces are an important part of any home that has one. As water enters the space and builds, moisture will rise into your home and create a dangerous situation. Improperly drained crawl spaces can result in pools of water developing under your home. In addition to mold and mildew growing, this pooled water can cause problems for your home’s structure and result in damage to important parts of your home’s infrastructure.

Learn more about waterproofing crawl spaces.

Roof damage

When your roof leaks, it affects the entirety of your home. Particularly here in the Pacific Northwest, this can be a huge problem. Leaky roofs can lead to:

Damage to your attic and ceiling: When your roof leaks, the most immediate danger is what’s directly below it. In addition to wood rot in the affected area, anything in the water’s path will also be destroyed, While this doesn’t directly affect the value of the home, it’s a nuisance and could ruin thousands of dollars of value for you.
Even more mold: Sensing a common theme? All water damage will lead to mold.
Fire hazards: Electric wiring is housed in your walls and ceiling. When your roof leaks, this water will end up infiltrating these spaces and creating a potential fire hazard.
Diminished structural integrity: Rafters, ceilings joists, wall framing, and fascia boards will weaken and become damaged with water damage.
Higher utility bills: When your roof leaks, it means it’s not as effective at insulating.

While these problems can happen with any roof, they are particularly troublesome for those with flat roofs. Since these roofs are not as naturally good at draining water, water damage is a real possibility that needs to be actively managed. Water can pool when not properly drained, which could create a sag and lead to serious leaks in your roof.

Learn more about waterproofing roofs.

Deck and patio damage

Just because something is outside doesn’t mean that it can’t be damaged by water.

Nowhere is this more true than with decks and patios, which need to be resealed and waterproofed regularly to prevent water damage. When not waterproofed, decks and patios will not resist water. When moisture seeps into the wood it can destroy the deck, making it less stable and not safe for regular use. It also just looks bad.

While decks add a lot of value to a home when they look beautiful and are functional, when they need to be redone or removed, they can label the home a fixer-upper.

Learn more about waterproofing decks & patios.

Don’t let water destroy your home

Rock Solid Waterproofing is the premier waterproofing company in Vancouver and Portland. We specialize in waterproofing both homes and commercial spaces. You’ll love our combination of quality craftsmanship and friendly service.

Worried about paying for your waterproofing project? We offer financing for all of our waterproofing projects and can help you waterproof your home in a way that works for you!

How Water Damage Destroys Your Home’s Value