It doesn't matter if your basement is in Sheffield, Derby or Nottingham, all basements are subject to the same problems because of their location underground. While these issues may vary in severity depending where you live; here are the top 7 most common problems caused by cellars with which you may be familiar:
1. Basement Leaking or Flooding
Basement leaking or flooding can be caused by factors both inside and outside your cellar. Internally burst pipes or leaking appliances can cause water to find its way to your basement. Externally high water tables, groundwater and burst mains pipes could cause water to force its way in due to hydrostatic pressure. Groundwater can be a significant problem in some areas of Sheffield due to the number of underground streams running down from the peaks.
2. Humidity
Even if standing water is not an issue, humidity can be in the temperate British climate. The dampness caused by airborne water droplets condensing on the cold walls, pipes and organic materials within the cellar coupled with poor ventilation can cause rot and other structural problems if left untreated.
3. Musty Smells
Rather more noticeable in the summer months, musty smells are generally caused by humidity problems. The higher humidity in basements is an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew.
4. Mold
They smell, look awful and can damage your health. Molds cause biodegradation of natural minerals, including the materials used in the structure of your home. The presence of mould is a serious problem and should be dealt with as a priority.
5. Ugly Appearance
An unfurnished basement can look like something from a forgotten world. Chipped paint caused by humidity, dark stains on walls and floors indicating mold problems, and efflorescence (white powdery mineral salt) all add to an ugly appearance.
6. Structural Problems
Hydrostatic pressure and prolonged damp can cause cracks in walls, which if not dealt with in a timely fashion can lead to more severe structural problems such as the basement walls buckling or bowing. Likewise water can cause soil erosion around and under your home, leaving foundations with little support. In both cases these problems need to be addressed as soon as they are spotted.
7. Unusable space
All of the above problems add up to making a cellar an unusable space. Implementation of water drainage solutions and damp proofing can reduce or prevent these problems, and turn your basement into useable space.