Basement Inspections
It starts small: a musty smell in the air, a damp patch that keeps coming back, a hairline crack you’re sure wasn’t there last month. These details are rarely just cosmetic. They often point to deeper issues in your masonry foundation.
You want a home that feels solid, dry, and dependable. But when cracks show up or water sneaks in, it’s tough to know if you’re dealing with a small issue or something bigger. That uncertainty can weigh on you, and the sense that something might be going on behind the scenes is hard to ignore.
At Bramwell-McKay Masonry Restoration, we take basement inspections seriously because we know what’s at stake. Our team helps you identify problems before they escalate and gives you the insight you need to make informed decisions about your home.
Why a Professional Basement Inspection Matters
Basements are the foundation of your home. When moisture, mold, or structural issues begin below ground, they threaten everything above. Water intrusion can lead to foundation cracks, mildew, and poor air quality. Over time, these problems create not just property damage but health risks for your family.
The challenge is that these issues often build quietly, out of sight. You may only notice them once the damage has spread.
As a trusted masonry repair and restoration company, our expertise goes beyond surface-level checks. We consider the foundation of your home as experienced engineers with an architectural mindset who understand how masonry behaves under stress, water, and time. We know how to spot the early warning signs and how to tell the difference between normal wear and serious structural risk.
Our Basement Inspection & Consultation Services
You shouldn’t have to guess what’s wrong with your home. And you shouldn’t be pressured into a repair you don’t understand. Our inspection and consultation services are built to empower you. When you call us, we’ll send a basement inspector to your home as soon as possible to do a thorough inspection that includes:
We take a complete look at your basement’s floors, walls, and structure. We inspect for water damage, foundation issues, mortar deterioration, and warning signs others might miss.
We carefully examine your basement and foundation walls. These walls carry the weight of your home, and when pressure, moisture, or time begin to break them down, the entire structure can be affected. We check for foundation cracks, water intrusion, bowing or bulging sections, and signs of settlement or movement.
We inspect your crawl spaces for signs of moisture, mold, and poor airflow. These are areas that often get overlooked but can have a big impact on your home's health and stability. We also check your sump pump setup and make sure it’s installed correctly and running correctly.
We take the time to thoroughly evaluate the condition of your foundation, highlight any risks we find, and talk with you about what matters most for your home. Then we help you decide what steps make sense based on your goals and your structure.
Warning Signs of Damagein Your Basement
During our professional basement inspection, we pay close attention to the subtle and obvious signs that something isn’t right. Here are some of the most common issues our professional inspectors uncover, many of which are easy to miss without a thorough basement inspection from an experienced team.
Moisture and Mold
Moisture is one of the leading causes of foundation problems. A musty smell, water stains, or standing water in your basement can signal that water is entering through foundation cracks, faulty window wells, or other entry points. Excessive moisture raises humidity and promotes mold growth and mildew, both of which can pose serious health risks and compromise air quality.
If your basement floors feel damp or your crawl space has visible mold growth, it's time to call in a professional.
Foundation Cracks & Structural Red Flags
Cracks in your basement walls or floors may seem minor, but they often point to bigger issues below the surface. Vertical cracks and horizontal cracks in foundation walls can be early indicators of shifting pressure or weakened support. Small cracks that continue to widen, bowing walls, or bulging masonry are all signs of structural damage that should never be ignored.
Our team knows how to identify which cracks are typical wear and which are signs of larger problems that need attention.
Other Hazards
Leaks don’t always start in the obvious places. During an inspection, we often uncover plumbing leaks, water seepage from groundwater buildup, and sump pump malfunctions. Window wells that fill with water or have poor drainage can also become direct paths for water intrusion.
40 Years of Earning Homeowners' Trust
You’ve got a lot riding on your foundation. That’s why our work is rooted in integrity above all else.
We’ve spent four decades restoring and repairing the masonry problems that others walk away from. We bring our unique stewardship perspective and unwavering commitment to the future of your home to every project, and we do it because we believe your home deserves better.
When you call us, you’re not getting a standard pitch. You’re getting professionals who take your concerns seriously and treat your home with the same care we would want for our own.
Let’s Protect Your Home, From the Ground Up
There’s no need to keep wondering what’s going on below the surface. Bramwell-McKay is here to help you get clarity and take the next step in the right direction. Contact us today for an inspection and a free quote on all our basement offerings.