Although every house is different, it’s virtually guaranteed that homes in Baltimore will experience problems with moisture in the basement . The good news is that steps can be taken to block water and moisture and reduce the risk of experiencing moisture-related basement damage, including mold growth and weakened structural supports. Depending on the location of your home and the waterproofing measures already in place, prevention can range in size and scope from rerouting a drain spout to excavating and waterproofing the exterior of your foundation. In addition to working with a basement waterproofing company in Baltimore to prevent basement flooding, here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of moisture damage.

Add Insulation

An easy and affordable first step towards reducing the risk of moisture damage is adding insulation in your basement. When combined with a dehumidifier, basement insulation can prevent condensation and lower the amount of humidity in the basement.

Keep Gutters Clean

If you’re looking for an even more affordable way to prevent water damage in your basement, simply keep your gutters clean. Gutters that are clogged with leaves and other debris can cause rainwater to overflow and pool around your home’s foundation, which greatly increase the risk of seepage and ultimately water damage.

Correct Your Landscaping

It’s important that the ground around your home is sloped away from the foundation wall, otherwise rain water and irrigation will flow towards your home and pool around the foundation. Correcting your landscaping may require hard work and some big equipment rentals, but it’s worth the time and effort to reduce your risk of basement water damage.

Further Measures

When you’ve done all that you can to prevent basement flooding, bring in a professional to learn about additional basement waterproofing measures you can take to reduce your risk of basement water damage. Depending on several different factors, you may consider such options as interior or exterior waterproof coatings or the installation of a French drain system.

Nearly all below-grade basements are prone to water leakage. Although minor leaks and humidity problems aren’t a major concern, basements that are in danger of flooding can experience severe damage that is typically very expensive to repair. That’s why basement waterproofing is a smart investment for home’s that are in danger of experiencing basement flooding, since the waterproofing measures themselves are much less expensive than the total number of water damage repairs that may be required over the life of the basement. Watch this short video to learn more about basement waterproofing.

You can discuss the benefits of basement waterproofing and the costs associated with different waterproofing solutions by contacting a water damage repair company in Baltimore that specializes in such waterproofing measures. The sooner you hire basement contractors to waterproof your basement, the less likely you will be to experience costly water damage resulting from leaks, flooding, and other moisture-related problems.

Weeping walls, crumbling concrete blocks, water stains, and the unmistakable odor of mold are just a few of the signs that your basement has a moisture issue. Fortunately, a basement waterproofing company in Baltimore can quickly seal up your basement to prevent more serious water-related damage in the future. As you begin to research basement waterproofing in Maryland, you’ll quickly find out that there are many different solutions to choose from. The right solution will ultimately depend on a number of different factors, including your budget and the condition of your basement. Your waterproofing contractor can help you choose which solution is the best fit. In the meantime, read this short post to learn more about the different waterproofing solutions you can choose from.

Interior Sealants

One of the most common entry points for water is through cracks in the concrete foundation. Depending on the size and location of these cracks, it may be possible to seal them from the inside using specially formulated sealants or epoxy injections. Although sealants and injections are good at preventing leaks and humidity, they are not suitable if there is strong water pressure pushing against the foundation.

Exterior Waterproofing

In some cases, it may be necessary to excavate around your home and apply a waterproof coating along the foundation. This coating acts as a waterproof barrier that prevents water from seeping through into the basement. Although exterior waterproofing is a more expensive solution than interior sealants and injections, it is leaps and bounds more effective at stopping water from entering the basement through the foundation.

Interior and Exterior Drainage

A proper drainage system is the best line of defense against water in the basement. If you don’t already have a sump pump system installed in your basement, contact a basement waterproofing company in Baltimore that specializes in these waterproofing systems. And if you do have a sump pump, make sure it’s kept in good working condition to prevent basement flooding .

A basement that hasn’t been waterproofed is subject to water damage, which can lead to mold problems, foundation problems, and expensive repairs. If you live in an area that gets heavy rainfall, or one that experiences freezing temperatures that can cause basement pipes to burst, you should invest in basement waterproofing in Baltimore .

Keep Your Gutters Clean

If your gutters are clogged, they will begin to overflow even during a light rainstorm. Over time, these overflows will pool up around the foundation of your home, eventually leaking into your basement and causing water damage. In heavy rainfalls, clogged gutters will quickly cause flooding and damage to your home’s foundation and basement. Remove leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris from your gutters to ensure the smooth flow of water through them. Then install leaf guards and downspout extenders that will direct water at least ten feet from the foundation of your home.

Change Your Yard’s Slope

The grade, or slope, of the ground around your house plays a significant role in how water flows during a rainstorm. During light rain, most water is absorbed into the earth, or evaporates from surfaces. But during a heavy rain, the water will collect in pools or run down slopes. If the ground around your house is sloped towards your home, this means that the water will run down the slope directly into the basement of your home. The soil or dirt around your home should be pitched at a slope of at least ¼ inch per foot, allowing water to drain away from your home instead of towards it. Add soil to your yard if necessary to create the correct slope away from your home.

Maintain Your Trees

Some trees have an aggressive root system that can cause problems with the foundation of your home, leading to cracks, holes, and damage through which water can enter your basement. Shade trees should be planted at least 20 feet from your home to prevent their roots from damaging your foundation. Smaller trees should be planted 10 to 15 feet away.

In Linthicum Heights and near Baltimore, you may have heard other homeowners talk about waterproofing their basements. There are many different terms that professionals use to talk about both basement waterproofing strategies and the consequences of inadequate waterproofing.

When you hear the term “water table,” it refers to the level where soil and materials below ground are saturated with groundwater in the vicinity of your home. Flooding can happen when surface tension causes the water level to extend above the water table. A “sump pump” is a device that pumps excess groundwater out from a pit below your basement. This water can enter via “water seepage,” that is, by oozing through the soil. Basement finishing requires adequate waterproofing, for which professionals may dig a “drywell,” which is a gravel-filled hole where water drained from sump pumps can go. To prevent water damage in your crawlspace, you may hear a professional talk about “crawl space encapsulation,” which essentially seals this area off from water penetration.

Effective basement and crawlspace waterproofing uses a variety of strategies to keep these below-ground level areas of your home dry and mold-free.

If your home’s basement or crawlspace waterproofing is not up to date, you will probably have to deal with a flooded basement in Linthicum Heights at some point. Although prevention is of course preferable to damage control, there are still steps you can take to avoid health hazards and structural damage to your home after flooding occurs. The three steps below are essential when coping with flooding in your basement.

Water Removal

Homes that are not equipped with sump pumps can flood, and once the water gets into your basement or crawlspace, it can be difficult to remove. Several days after the flood, when there is no longer a visible layer of water, the walls and flooring will still be very damp. Because of poor ventilation, it is virtually impossible to remove all the moisture without a professional-grade basement or crawl space dehumidifier. Even if your basement hasn’t flooded yet, it’s a good idea to invest in a smaller dehumidifier to protect it from condensation.

Mold Remediation

Mold can begin to grow just a few days after water gets into your basement. After a flood, you should call a mold removal professional as soon as possible to check to see if this fungus has begun to spread anywhere in your basement. Once a mold colony has sprung up, it can be very difficult to remove. Though not every species of mold is toxic, many release spores than aggravate allergies and cause other respiratory problems.

Damage Control

Any carpet, furniture, or cardboard boxes that got wet during the flooding should be examined by a water damage restoration professional. Unfortunately, you may have to throw many of these items out, especially if the flood resulted from a backed up sewer or storm drain. You should also have your foundation inspected, as flooding can cause structural damage that can compromise the integrity of your home. After you have recovered from the flood, install a sump pump and talk with a professional about other basement waterproofing strategies to prevent it from happening again.

If your Baltimore basement has not been waterproofed, you should certainly expect to face expensive repairs at some point in the future. When mildew grows in your basement and the wood or drywall begins to rot, you may need to schedule mold remediation treatments or even foundation repairs.

The most cost-effective solution is to prevent these problems before they occur by waterproofing your basement. Professional services such as those we offer at Storm Waterproofing LLC can help keep water out of your basement, prevent water that does get in from doing extensive damage, and make sure that the basement drains instead of flooding during the most intense rains.

We offer complete external waterproofing, including trench digging and French drain installation, sump pump installation, crawl space encapsulation, and internal basement waterproofing. This range of important services helps prevent foundation damage and avoid the conditions that lead to wood rot and mold and mildew growth in your basement.

Because the area has so many older houses, homeowners in and near Baltimore are seldom surprised to find mold in their basements. But this harmful fungus is just one of the many problems you can experience when your basement is leaky . Basement water damage can cause extensive, near-catastrophic damage that is difficult and expensive to repair. Walls can rot, and if water gets into cracks in concrete or stone, it can compromise the structural integrity of your home, including the foundation. Besides mold, other signs of water damage include:

Discolorations on the Basement Ceiling

If you are unsure whether or not your home has a waterproof basement, go downstairs and inspect the exterior walls and the ceiling. Turn on all the lights and check the color of the paint or wallpaper. Splotches of discoloration or fading are telltale signs that you have leaks, and that water is seeping into the walls and foundation of your home.

Bumpy Textures on the Walls

Beneath the paint or wallpaper, the walls in your basement may be drywall or wood-framed, especially if you have a newer home. When you have inadequate basement waterproofing, the walls can absorb water, which causes them to swell and contract unevenly, leaving behind bumps and pockmarks. Run a gloved hand along the wall, gently, to check for smoothness.

Crumbling Wood Details

Wooden details, such as baseboards, crown molding, and window frames, are especially susceptible to water damage and will begin to rot very quickly if they are near the source of leaks. Look and feel for damp or crumbling wood to reveal water damage in the basement or attic.

Musty Smells and Damp Odors

If you scrub the mold from your walls, but still notice a musty smell or any type of unpleasant odor a few days later, you likely have a leak and water damage somewhere in the basement. Only professional mold remediation can totally eradicate this harmful fungus. The smell might also be coming from rotting wood in window frames or other structural elements of your home.

When you own your home, there are many maintenance tasks and chores for which you are responsible. One of the most important is ensuring that your basement is waterproof. Fortunately, it is easy to identify a reputable company offering basement waterproofing serving Baltimore . Depending on the age and condition of your home, there are several different types of waterproofing that your basement may require. Learn about them below.

Interior Waterproofing

As you might expect, interior waterproofing focuses on the walls and ceiling inside your basement. The goal of this type of waterproofing is to keep the usable space inside your basement free of water and mold. If the walls in your basement are unpainted, you can have concrete waterproofing coatings or silicate-based concrete sealers applied to prevent water from getting in. Be sure they are finished with waterproof paint for extra protection.

Interior Basement Drainage

Interior drainage is not exactly a type of waterproofing—it is a supplement to other waterproofing services. When there is water in your basement, it can stagnate and cause mildew to grow, making mold removal necessary. Interior basement drainage helps remove water that enters during heavy rains or flash flooding, preventing damage from occurring. Depending on the design of your basement, sump pump installation may be necessary to ensure complete drainage.

Exterior Waterproofing

This is the most comprehensive and effective form of basement waterproofing. The two types above treat the symptom: water in the basement. This treats the problems: uneven grading and inadequate drainage. To truly prevent your basement from becoming damp and to keep water from damaging your home, you need to have a team of professionals excavate a ditch all around your home, down to the foundation level, and install proper drainage. This can also include putting a waterproof coating or panels next to the foundation, and installing French drains. Once you have proper drainage in place, your basement will truly very waterproof. For more complete protection, you should consider combining all three types of waterproofing: have professionals install exterior drains and a sump pump, then apply interior coatings.

Water in your basement can be more than just a minor nuisance. When you neglect basement waterproofing for too long, black mold can form in your basement or crawlspace. If you or a loved one is exposed to black mold, you could be at risk of developing serious health problems. Some of the health hazards of basement flooding and mold include allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and skin irritation. By setting up basement waterproofing serving Baltimore, you will be able to protect yourself and your family from the health hazards of basement flooding. Along with basement waterproofing services , you may want to also schedule mold removal for your home. These services will completely eliminate the health risks associated with flood water in your basement or crawlspace. A highly rated contractor serving Baltimore can ensure that your home is completely safe to be occupied by yourself and your loved ones.