As the weather gets colder and wetter throughout the year, it's important to consider the impact humidity has on the home you decide to buy. Many homes on the market are far from new and may have been built before some modern basement waterproofing guidelines were adopted or standards for building drains around homes. Whatever the reason, much older homes have humidity issues that become apparent at this time of year. You can also get more information about leaky basements online via https://americanwi.com/leaky-or-wet-basement.

When looking at a house on the market, make sure you pay close attention to the basement. It's also a good idea to make sure you tell the home inspector you're concerned about a leak in the basement while he's doing the inspection. Some signs of a basement moisture problem include the smell of damp or mildew and visible water damage to walls, furniture, or other items in the basement.

However, basement leaks can cause more than water and mildew damage; Excessive humidity is also a good environment for termites and dry rot to thrive.

Water can enter your home as a symptom of many types of problems: moisture can penetrate improper or improperly covered concrete; cracked bottoms can let water in; and/or damaged drains or gutters can cause excess water to seep into the surrounding soil, which then causes seepage into the basement.