Reduce in-home mold problems resulting from winter snowfall and spring/summer showers
While rainfall has been bleak so far this year, the amount of snowfall throughout the spring months combined with one day’s deluge of rainfall in the spring or summer months could result in basement seepage causing home- and health-damaging mold.
Contrary to popular belief, flooding does not need to happen for mold to begin to grow. In fact, mold can start with a modest amount of dampness or seepage or highly elevated humidity levels. With the presence of moisture, mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 - 48 hours. Mold can grow on all building materials, including drywall, paneling, wood, and carpeting and will consume any material as it grows.
Mold can severely damage a home, leading to expensive repair costs which are generally not covered by homeowners insurance. If the mold problem is neglected, it will greatly reduce the resale value of the property, according to U.S. Waterproofing , a full-service basement waterproofing company offering permanent solutions for almost all causes of basement seepage. Additionally, mold exposure can negatively affect the health of individuals, especially those who already suffer from allergies and/or asthma.
Identifying Mold
Seepage is the passage of ground water into a basement or crawl space. Water enters through openings in the walls or floor. It is typically driven by environmental factors; owners may notice seepage after a snowmelt or rainfall. Neglecting to clean the gutters and downspouts can contribute to improper drainage of water from the roof, creating a water problem which may normally not occur.
Homeowners can make some simple inspection steps to check for signs of mold or mildew.
- Check crawl spaces for dampness or standing water;
- Look for condensation forming around windows and on the foundation on walls;
- Check for a musty or moldy smell;
- Ensure the sump pump is working properly;
- Check for discolored wood baseboard trim along at the bottom of the finished walls in the basement or effloresce (white powdery deposits) on the foundation walls;
- Look for cracks in the foundation walls (stains adjacent to cracks are signs of previous seepage); and
- Check for black stains on objects which confirms household mold.
According to U.S. Waterproofing , remediation is only part of the cure to the mold problem, as remediation alone will not keep it from coming back. To fully kill mold and prevent it from returning, the source of moisture must be taken away. Fixing a seepage problem in the basement can eliminate water from the equation; choosing a method which stops (seals off) the water from the exterior is the best solution when mold is a concern.
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