Although basement waterproofing gets most of the attention in America, crawlspace waterproofing can be just as important. In fact, there’s not much difference between basements and crawlspaces except in terms of usable space. Besides that, moisture problems can have the same result in crawlspaces as they do in basements, namely mold and rot. And if there is enough water in the crawlspace and rot gets to the floor joists, your entire home could come crashing down. There are lots of companies in Baltimore that offer crawlspace waterproofing , but you probably have questions you want answered before you call. Here are some important things to know before you do.

Do You Need to Waterproof Your Crawlspace?

Of course you don’t have to waterproof your crawlspace, but there are lots of reasons you should . As mentioned above, moisture problems inside your crawlspace can lead to mold, which can negatively affect your family’s health and lower your home’s indoor air quality. Crawlspace water damage can also impact your home’s structural integrity, which means neglecting to waterproof your crawlspace can put your home and your family’s safety in jeopardy.

What’s the Difference Between Waterproofing and Encapsulation?

“Crawlspace waterproofing” and “crawlspace encapsulation” are two terms used to describe the same thing: Making sure that water doesn’t damage the inside of your crawlspace and cause health and safety problems for your family. Some companies advertise waterproofing, others call it encapsulation, but either way you can count on your crawlspace being nice and dry after the service is done.

How Much Does Crawlspace Waterproofing Cost?

One of the most important questions on anyone’s mind when considering crawlspace waterproofing is how much it costs. However, it’s hard to provide you with an accurate estimate here without knowing the specifics of your crawlspace, such as its size and whether it has already suffered water damage. These and other factors can affect the cost, so get in touch with a crawlspace waterproofing company in Baltimore to receive an accurate quote.

Mold is one of those things every homeowner worries about, especially here in Baltimore where moist conditions create the perfect environment for mold. In addition to the natural moisture in the air, basement leaks and plumbing emergencies can also lead to or speed up mold growth in your home. In short, there are lots of things that can happen that can result in mold, so it’s important that you know how to contain mold growth until professional mold remediators arrive to deal with your house mold problem.

• When you discover mold in your home, the first thing you need to do is contact a professional mold remediation company in Baltimore to schedule a time for an inspection
• If you discover a leaking pipe near the mold, shut off your water and contact a plumber or ask your mold remediation provider if they have the tools to fix plumbing issues
• During the summertime, when weather permits, it’s a good idea to open up windows and doors in your home to help dry out your home and stop the spread of mold until the remediation company arrives to assess the issue

A leaky basement might not seem like a big deal, at least not at first, but overtime even a small basement leak can cause thousands of dollars in water damage or worse. Basement leaks are a problem for homeowners throughout the country, but they can be particularly destructive and prevalent in a moist and humid climate such as Baltimore. Fortunately, there are companies that can fix water damage, seal up your basement, and prevent future leaks from causing you any more trouble. Before you contact a basement waterproofing company , you might be interested in learning more about some of the reasons why basements leak in the first place. If so, read on.

Damaged Windows

If your basement has windows, be sure to check the seal around the frame to make sure water is not leaking through cracks, holes, or rotting sections of wood. Again, these leaks on their own might not cause major concern at any single time, but the cumulative water damage over many months or years of leaking can result in water damage that can cost a lot more to fix than simply addressing the leak when you first notice it.

Foundation Cracks

Your home’s foundation is under an immense amount of pressure from the soil and water table surrounding your home. Over time, this pressure can cause cracks in the floors and walls of your basement that can let water in. If you notice any cracks in the basement walls or floor, contact a basement waterproofing company that offers foundation repair services to fix and seal the cracks before any more water leaks in and causes any more damage.

Poor Drainage

Water pooling around your home can also result in basement leaking, so make sure that no water is pooling after a rainstorm or when you water your lawn. One common drainage issue that waterproofing companies fix is downspouts not pointing away from the foundation. This is a simple fix that can prevent major basement water damage and foundation issues later on.

Hiring a basement contractor for crawlspace waterproofing near Baltimore can save you time, money, and stress. Crawlspace waterproofing significantly reduces your risk of a flooded basement, water in your basement, and mold in your basement. Here is a look at some of the most common and effective options for waterproofing a crawlspace.

Foundation Repair and Concrete Sealing

The most basic methods of crawlspace waterproofing are foundation repair and concrete sealing. Frequent water leaks and progressive water damage can cause cracks in your home’s foundation and walls. A basement contractor can repair the damage, protecting the safety and structure of your home. Concrete sealing provides a barrier between your wall and moisture. This prevents water damage, and also prevents the growth of mold in your basement or crawlspace.

Crawlspace Encapsulation

Another key element of crawlspace waterproofing is crawlspace encapsulation. Crawlspace encapsulation insulates your home from moisture, thus preventing water in basements and crawlspaces. During crawlspace encapsulation, your basement contractor will seal off the floor of your crawlspace with a polyethylene crawl space vapor barrier. He will also seal off vents leading to your basement, and install a crawlspace dehumidifier to cut down on the humidity and moisture levels in your crawlspace. He may also replace or upgrade the insulation in your crawlspace to further waterproof it and prevent pests from entering.

Sump Pump Installation

Once your crawlspace waterproofing is complete, your basement contractor will proceed with a sump pump installation or sump pump replacement. A sump pump will prevent you from suffering from a flooded basement or water in your basement in the future. Sump pumps efficiently pump water up and out of basements or crawlspaces, delivering the water to areas far from your home’s foundation. They can also be installed in high-risk areas to prevent water from entering your basement from the outside. Once your sump pump installation is complete, talk to your basement contractor about necessary maintenance to prolong the sump pump’s lifespan and reduce your need for replacement.

In order to avoid water in your basement, which will eventually lead to mold in your basement, it’s important to invest in basement waterproofing in Baltimore . Waterproofing your basement can reduce your risk of costly mold remediation, foundation repair, mold cleaning, and other services associated with a flooded basement. Here is a look at some of the ways that you can solve the problem of a flooded basement.

Determine the Source of the Water in Basement

Before you can begin waterproofing your basement, you must determine the source of your wet basement. A flooded basement may be the result of a heavy storm, a burst pipe, or a damaged appliance like a water heater, washing machine, sink, or shower. If water in your basement is the result of plumbing problems, you should turn off your home’s water main to stop the flooding and reduce the risk of further damage.

Hire an Experienced Basement Contractor

Next, you need to hire an experienced basement contractor to begin the basement waterproofing process. If there are cracks or holes in your walls due to water damage, your basement contractor can repair them. He can then apply plaster or concrete sealer to waterproof your basement and prevent future leaks and damage. He may also recommend crawlspace waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and installing a crawl space dehumidifier if your basement’s crawl space is at risk for flooding or water damage. If your basement contractor discovers mold in your basement, he can perform household mold remediation, black mold removal, and mold cleaning services.

Invest in Sump Pump Installation

The final step in waterproofing your basement is sump pump installation or a broken sump pump replacement. Without proper sump pump maintenance, your sump pump may stop working effectively, resulting in a wet or flooded basement. A new sump pump installation will ensure that water is pumped up and out of your basement or crawl space. This means that even after a heavy storm or plumbing problem, you won’t suffer from water in your basement or a flooded basement.

At Storm Waterproofing, LLC, our experienced and knowledgeable basement contactors near Baltimore can assist you with basement waterproofing, crawlspace waterproofing, and mold remediation. The skills and services offered by our waterproofing company are the result of three generations of waterproofing experience. Our basement contractors are licensed, bonded, insured, and offer a lifetime guarantee for their mold removal, crawlspace encapsulation, foundation repair, and waterproofing services.

We offer comprehensive basement waterproofing and crawlspace waterproofing services that can fully protect your home from flooding, water damage, and mold growth. Our basement waterproofing services include foundation repair and concrete sealer. If we discover the growth of mold in your basement, we offer professional, safe household mold remediation and mold removal. We can also provide sump pump installation, sump pump maintenance, and sump pump replacement.

Our crawlspace waterproofing services include crawlspace encapsulation using a crawlspace vapor barrier. We also repair and replace insulation, and install sump pumps and crawlspace dehumidifiers. We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques for all of our waterproofing services. We can give you a free estimate for the scope and cost of services, and also provide 24/7 emergency services for flooded basements or crawlspaces.

Is there water in your basement near Baltimore? Having a wet or flooded basement can be a huge hassle. Plus, it can require some expensive repairs and mold cleaning. That’s why basement waterproofing is always a good idea. Keep reading to learn more about why your basement is wet and how waterproofing your basement can prevent future moisture problems.

Basement Moisture

Many basements have a basement moisture problem. One way to identify an issue with moisture in your basement is to use your nose. A constant musty smell often indicates excess moisture in the basement. Wet spots on the floor or walls of the basement can also point to a moisture problem. Basement moisture may seem innocuous, but it can actually lead to structural damage. Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air, and consider waterproofing your basement to prevent moisture problems.

Gutter Runoff

Runoff from the gutters outside of your home can also cause your basement to become wet. Fortunately, this is an easy fix—move your gutters so that runoff flows away from the foundation of your home. Clogged gutters can also cause moisture problems in the basement. Without a proper flow down the gutters, excess water can overflow the sides of the gutters and pool around the foundation of your home. If you haven’t installed basement waterproofing, this rainwater will likely seep into your basement over time.

Basement Cracks

Cracks in your basement walls or floor can allow outside water to escape into your basement. Have a professional identify and seal off your basement cracks with a concrete sealer. Water that escapes through cracks in your basement my also indicate groundwater swelling or the need for a sump pump to prevent future moisture issues in the basement.

Leaky Pipes

Pipes can leak for a variety of reasons, including oil age and the movement of earth beneath your home. If these leaky pipes are near or under your basement, they can lead to moisture problems. Have your pipes checked by a professional and consider waterproofing your basement to negate future moisture problems from nearby pipes.

You may not spend too much time thinking about crawlspace waterproofing in Baltimore . However, although it is quite discreet, your home’s crawlspace is a vital area that contains its main support beams, utility lines, and water pipes. Keeping this space clean and contained through crawlspace waterproofing, also known as crawlspace encapsulation, can prevent moisture-related problems from spreading throughout the rest of your home. Read on to learn some of the main reasons for waterproofing your crawlspace.

Keep Excess Moisture Out

Your crawlspace may house older water pipes that could be prone to leakage. Leaky pipes in a vulnerable crawlspace can often turn into a raging moisture problem. Likewise, water seepage can pose a problem for crawlspaces that have not been encapsulated. Water seepage arises from excess rainfall, which can in turn cause the water table in your area to rise. If the water table meets the level of your crawlspace, this excess water can cause harmful damage to your crawlspace that has resounding impacts throughout your home.

Keep Pests Out

Crawlspaces that are left unsealed are prime real estate for unwanted pests. Snakes, rodents, termites, and even larger animals such as raccoons can easily find their way into your crawlspace and wreak havoc on your home’s most vital parts. If your crawlspace is experiencing excess moisture, it is even more likely to attract pests such as termites, who flock to water-saturated wood. Prevent these problems through professional crawlspace waterproofing or encapsulation.

Keep Mold Out

Like many pests, mold also thrives in dark, moist areas. A crawlspace with excess moisture is one such environment. One of the worst things about mold is that once it starts to spread, it can easily contaminate your floor, insulation, and interior walls. Mold spores that have originated in your crawl space and spread throughout your home can also create health problems for certain individuals. Keep mold out and prevent multiplying problems by hiring a professional to waterproof your all-important crawlspace. If you already have mold in your crawlspace, a professional can also perform a mold cleaning service.