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Answers (8)
- Dave Tracy, "David Tracy"
- Contributions:41
You should never shy away from a house with a wet basement UNTIL you know why it is wet! Then you can verify what the cost to fix it would be.
- Martin Tauger, "remaxmarty"
- Contributions:9
If you love the home, make an offer contingent on an inspection by a qualified third party inspector and any additional testing or inspections by a specific vendor such as HVAC, RADON, FOUNDATION, MOLD, ETC.
My concern would be the moisture and where it is coming from...likely from landscaping, lack of proper vapor barriers, cracks in the foundation, lack of proper rain gutters and downspouts, broken or leaky pipes (exterior/interior) or some combination. You need to isolate the problem and correct it.
Second concern would be what damage the existing moisture has caused. Mold is the "big issue", but high levels of humidity will take years of life off furnaces and water heaters. I have sold many homes with partial dirt floors (older homes in most cases). Rain gutters, downspouts and proper landscaping will take care of a bulk of the problem, but I would ask for a recommendation of the home inspector for a foundation expert to look at the home to determine where the problem originates and then to see if you have a mold issue. Most problems have solutions....I wish you luck!
- colin_scotsman
- Contributions:22
Absolutely you should.
However - Bring in a general contractor and have a mold inspection by a reputable company....then you can easily fix the water problem..
However - Bring in a general contractor and have a mold inspection by a reputable company....then you can easily fix the water problem..
- Ellie McIntire, "Ellie_McIntire"
- Contributions:1488
A wet basement is not a good thing, but it can be fixed. During the process of the purchase you should request that the sellers take care of it with either a sump pump or a french drain. Using a reputable waterproofing company that gives a life time guarantee should give you peace of mind.
- Call The Sisters, "Call The Sisters"
- Contributions:373
In my area water in the basement is not unusual. The causation factor has to be identified. Sometimes it is a grading issue, gutters which are pulled away, gutters which are not routed far enough away from the foundation.
Have a professional home inspector look at the problem. You may be able to install a sump pump. Ventilation is also important to help it dry out.
Have a professional home inspector look at the problem. You may be able to install a sump pump. Ventilation is also important to help it dry out.
- Gwen Janicki, "StrictlyMainLine"
- Contributions:96
As a homeowner, you want to be sure your home doesn't pose a health threat to you or your family. In addition, you also want to preserve the equity you've invested in the home. Mold in a wet basement is a potential health risk and is avoidable if you take the right measures. I would suggest getting a quote from at least two local waterproofing contractors to determine your options.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26842
If this is a problem that can be solved with something such as french drains, then I would consider it. I would have evaluation by a professional with a cost estimate.
Storing bikes and tools and a furnace in a wet basement is asking for trouble.
Storing bikes and tools and a furnace in a wet basement is asking for trouble.
- Brian Teyssier, "Brian Teyssier GRI"
- Contributions:964
Thanks for your question Erin. YES! I am representing a buyer now with the same issue and most of the time things can be fixed and it that duty usually falls on the seller if they want to sell the place. Think about it, if you pass on the place, most buyers after you will to so it is in the seller's best interest to fix the problem.
Are you working with a full time, professional Realtor? If so, they can help, if not, why not!!!!???
Hope this helps and good luck.
Are you working with a full time, professional Realtor? If so, they can help, if not, why not!!!!???
Hope this helps and good luck.
Should I even consider a home that has a wet basement?
I absolutely love the house and so does my fiance, but it has a partial dirt basement that is wet. We wouldn't really use it for anything other than hanging our bikes up and storing tools. The furnace is down there also, but there are no problems on the side it is on. Any advise?
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