A first-time homebuyer questioned whether a leaking basement should be a concern if they never planned to use the space.
But when they made a post on Reddit in r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer, other Redditors didn't hold back.
Here's what to know
In the Reddit thread, the original poster explained, "I'm considering a house that says that sometimes there is 'some' water intrusion into the basement. The house is big enough that I would never use the basement."
"Does water intrusion into basement matter if I don't care about using the basement?" they asked.
One of the top comments read, "Water in the basement can ruin your foundation over time. It's best to not ignore the issue."
"You should definitely care. Not only can it compromise the structural integrity of your house over time, mold is always a concern," another commenter wrote.
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One person just added, "Mold. Issues to foundation. Humidity. Critters coming in."
One landlord jumped into the thread to explain that at one of their rental properties, a tenant hadn't reported water entering the basement during spring snowmelt and heavy rain. One of the basement's walls eventually started to collapse, resulting in about $20,000 in repairs. "Then we had to deal with the mold left behind," the landlord added.
What can be done?
Getting several professional assessments and repair quotes was the recommendation from the landlord who had faced a collapsing basement wall.
Finding the water's entry point and using a dehumidifier were among some of the other suggestions. Other commenters recommended drainage where needed, rain gutters, and grading the ground around the house.
Where can I learn more?
Other buyers and homeowners have also had to figure out how serious a basement leak might be.
• A homebuyer discovered $40,000 in hidden water damage, prompting warnings about insurance coverage.
• A Southeast ranch buyer discovered mold in the basement while under contract.
• A homeowner's hose test revealed basement wall water intrusion, raising concerns about interior waterproofing.
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