✓53 freezes a yearNOAA engineering data for Buffalo counts about 53 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year. Each one is a chance for a small problem to grow.ncei.noaa.gov
✓Soil pushes walls inIn a study of Amherst homes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found soil pushing in from the side was the main cause of basement wall damage.amherst.ny.us
✓Old foundationsAbout 61 percent of homes in the city were built in 1939 or earlier. Many were built before modern drain tile, damp proofing and wall ties. That does not make them bad, but it is worth having someone look.point2homes.com
The signs Buffalo homeowners call about most
Buffalo basements face deep frost, heavy snow melt and clay soil. Here are the signs to look for, roughly in the order people notice them.
Water signs
Water on the floor
Puddles after rain, or every spring when the snow melts, are the top reason people call. Look where the wall meets the floor. That joint is where water most often comes in.
Damp walls
A wall that stays dark and damp, or paint that bubbles and peels, means water is moving through the wall.
White crust
That white powder is mineral salt left behind as water passes through block, stone or concrete and dries. It is a clear sign of water, even if you never see a puddle.
A musty smell
A basement that smells musty is damp, even if it looks dry. Damp air can lead to mold on stored boxes, wood and drywall.
A pump that never stops
If the pump runs all the time in spring, or days after the last rain, a lot of water is reaching the house. If there is no sump pump and water keeps coming in, it may be time for one.
A drain that backs up
Water can come up through a floor drain in a big storm. That can be a sewer or drain backup, not a wall leak. It needs a different fix, so tell the inspector.
Crack signs
Thin vertical cracks
Often from concrete shrinking as it dried. Usually not serious unless they leak or grow.
Wider at one end
Some cracks are wider at the top or the bottom. That can mean part of the wall or footing has moved.
A sideways crack in block
This is one of the most common signs that soil and frost are pushing a wall in. It often runs a few rows below the top of the wall.
Stair-step cracks
These cracks zigzag along the mortar joints. They can come from settling or from side pressure on the wall.
Crumbling mortar
Many older Buffalo homes sit on limestone or rubble stone walls. When the mortar turns to sand, the wall lets in water and can start to bulge.
Wall movement signs
A wall bowing in
Stand at one end of the wall and look down it. If the middle bulges toward you, the wall is moving.
The top sliding in
Look at where the top of the wall meets the wood above it. If the block has slid in past the wood, the wall is moving at the top.
Window gaps
A moving wall can pull away from a window frame or crack at the corners of the window.
Signs upstairs
Sticking doors
Several doors that start sticking at once, or doors that swing open on their own, can mean the house has shifted.
Sloping floors
Some floors slope toward one side or feel soft and bouncy. That can point to a settled wall. It can also mean trouble with the beams and posts below.
Cracks above doors
Diagonal cracks running up from the corners of doors and windows are a common sign of movement.
Ceiling gaps
A gap opening where an interior wall meets the ceiling can mean the house has moved.
How serious is it?
Sign
How soon to call
Thin dry crack, not growing
Mark it and watch it
Damp wall, white crust, musty smell
Soon, before it turns into a leak
Water on the floor
Soon, before the next melt or storm
Crack wider than a quarter inch
Soon
Long sideways crack in block
Soon, the wall may be moving
Wall bowing in
Now
Water pouring in, or wall moved fast
Now, and say so on the call
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to check my basement?
Late winter and spring, during and after snow melt. That is when Buffalo basements are under the most water pressure, and leaks and wall movement are easiest to see.
Is white powder on my basement wall a problem?
That white crust is mineral salt left behind when water passes through the wall and dries. It is not dangerous by itself, but it shows water is getting through.
My house is 100 years old. Are some cracks normal?
Some settling cracks in an old house are normal. What matters is whether they grow, leak or come with a wall that leans in. A free inspection can tell you which ones to watch and which to fix.
How do I know if a crack is growing?
Mark both ends with a pencil and write the date. Measure the width with a coin or ruler. Check again after the next freeze and thaw. If it got longer or wider, call.
Do sticking doors always mean a foundation problem?
No. Humid summer weather can swell wood doors. But doors that stick all year, or several doors at once, along with new wall cracks, are worth an inspection.
Can I wait until summer to fix it?
You can schedule some work for dry months. But leaks and bowing walls usually get worse over winter, so get it inspected now and plan the work with the crew.