If you’re like many people, you don’t give a lot of thought to your basement. But what if your basement has water damage you’re not even aware of yet?

Here are three tell-tale signs that you’ve got some problems downstairs.

3 Tell-Tale Signs That Your Basement is Water Damaged

Next time you’re in your basement, these are the signs you need to look for:

Changes in the color or texture of walls, ceilings or floors
Cracks
Odor

Changes in Color or Texture

Whether or not your basement is finished, you can sometimes see changes in the color or texture of your walls, ceilings or floors.

In a finished basement, look for:

Cracked or peeling paint
Bubbled paint
Chipping paint
Peeling or discolored wallpaper

In an unfinished basement, look for:

White patches that look like salt

Cracks

Look for cracks in the foundation or floor of your basement. Also look for them in window seals and door panes, as well as on the walls if your basement isn’t finished. You’ll need to address this situation quickly, because otherwise, you could be looking at extensive flood damage repair in the near future.

Odor

If you notice a damp, musty odor, there’s a good chance that water is getting into your basement. Remember, though, that this type of odor is common after a storm. It’s when it doesn’t go away that you could be facing an issue.

Check for the smell of mold, too, which is pretty distinct. If you suspect there’s mold, start looking at the wood, the walls and other surfaces with a flashlight.