House hunting can be a grueling task. That is why when potential homeowners finally find something that fits their needs to a tee and is within their budget, they will jump at the chance to pay a down payment. However, not being thorough in the assessment of the potential home could translate into a nightmare of repair bills down the road. One of the problems typically overlooked is bad waterproofing mechanisms. A mistake some homeowners make is to assume that if the basement is unfinished, then it should probably have that dank smell. The truth is even an unused basement should have appropriate waterproofing as water egress can compromise the entire foundation of the home. Here are some of the things to be wary of that could indicate waterproofing issues in your potential home.

Musty odours in the home

A house that smells dank and musty is not a sign of disuse. The main culprit of this lingering smell tends to be undetected water infiltration. Even when there are no other decipherable signs of water, a musty-smelling home should be assessed further to establish if you would require new waterproofing to be installed. A great way to find the source of the water infiltration would be to determine the source of the musty smell.

Mould growing in the home

A misconception that some people have is that mould will only be black in appearance. The truth is that mold can appear in an array of other colours such as white, green and more. Mould requires moist conditions to thrive. As such, the larger the infestation, the higher the chances of extensive water damage. It would be prudent to consider your options as a mould infestation would not only mean having to invest in waterproofing, but you would also have to hire mould remediation professionals.

Efflorescence on the walls

If you do not know what efflorescence is, you have probably come across it and brushed it off as paint peeling off the walls. This is because it presents itself as a whitish, chalky substance. But efflorescence comes about when water has started climbing up the walls. Over time, the water begins to make the walls deteriorate causing cracks and mineral deposits to form on the surface of the walls. Efflorescence begins gradually, so it would be beneficial to catch it early and fix the problem before the water influx gets a chance to spread.