A common problem that basement contractors serving Baltimore see in homes is a wet basement. Whether it’s due to poor property drainage, a leaky pipe, or a lack of air circulation, too much moisture in your house can lead to several problems.

Moisture promotes mold.

When your home has too much humidity, this can encourage mold growth. Having a small amount of mold in your home is not unusual, but if it manages to spread, this can cause health problems for your family and affect your home and its contents, such as the furniture, carpeting, and walls. Most molds thrive in areas that are damp and dark, meaning that excess moisture in your basement could lead to problems. To help avoid the need for mold remediation, consider getting basement waterproofing if there is water in your basement of if its air feels muggy.

Moisture attracts pests.

Rats, mice, cockroaches, and ants are all attracted to locations that can provide them with water. This means that if your home has excessive moisture, these pests can be drawn to the structure, and when rodents and insects set up their home in yours, this can lead to several types of damage. Mice and rats can chew holes through your walls, get into your food containers, and leave feces and urine throughout your house. When bugs decide to colonize your home, they can be both a nuisance and a health hazard for your family.

Moisture damages materials.

When your home’s air is too humid, the excess moisture can cause damage to a variety of materials. Water in the air can condense on your walls and windows, potentially leading to mold growth or rippled wallpaper. You might also find that your stored clothing and linens become musty and that areas of your home smell of mildew. Additionally, if wooden structures of your home are consistently damp, they can begin to rot and attract termites, which in turn can cause further harm. If you suspect that your home has too much moisture, consider hiring a professional to determine if your home need better drainage or waterproofing.

If your home features a crawl space, it’s probably been a while since you last paid it much attention. These cramped areas often go ignored due to their size and lack of accessibility. If you suspect that your crawl space is causing issues for your home, then consider crawl space encapsulation in Baltimore to address some of the common problems seen in these structures.

Mold

Because of their location, lack of air flow, and vulnerability to water accumulation, crawl spaces are a common site of mold growth in homes. When mold is left to accumulate in your crawl space, it can spread to other areas where it can cause damage to your belongings and even lead to health problems for your family. One purpose of crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation is to prevent moisture from getting into the space from any source or surface. This process involves the installation of a crawl space vapor barrier, and sometimes the use of a dehumidifier. Protecting your crawl space against mold growth can help prevent the need for mold remediation in the future.

Air

The heating and cooling of your home can account for a significant amount of your overall energy costs. If your crawl space isn’t encapsulated, there is a good chance that the conditioned air of your home is penetrating your flooring, entering the crawl space, and being vented to the outside. This lack of insulation can account for an increased energy bill as your HVAC unit is forced to work harder and more often to cool and warm your home. Crawl space encapsulation is a simple way to reduce your energy costs by sealing part of your home against air leaks.

Pests

Many crawl spaces can be easily accessed by a variety of animals and insects. When you leave your crawl space untreated, it can become a breeding ground for termites, rodents, snakes, raccoons, and other pests that may make their way into your home or cause damage to its structure. Choosing to encapsulate your crawl space helps to prevent unwanted visitors from taking up residence in your home.

Homes that have not been treated with crawl space waterproofing in Baltimore are vulnerable to problems associated with water accumulation. Because of their location and lack of accessibility, a pipe leak that’s depositing water into your basement can easily go unnoticed. When left unchecked, leaky pipes can result in a series of issues for your crawl space.

Moisture attracts pests and, sensing a source of water, a crawl space suffering from a plumbing leak is likely to draw everything from termites and ants to raccoons and snakes. Also, the moisture can damage the wood, insulation, and other materials of the structure, causing them to require repair or replacement. Water accumulation can also result in a foul odor that can make its way into your home, as well as the growth of mold.

If you find that your crawl space has standing water or is very humid, it’s important to check your plumbing for leaks that may be the source of the issue. To avoid future problems, consider crawl space waterproofing services for your home to provide a crawl space vapor barrier and help prevent the need for mold remediation.

If you’re dealing with a wet or flooded basement in Baltimore, then there are several reasons why you should consider sump pump installation or basement waterproofing services . A wet basement can affect your health and cause damage to your home.

Growth of Mold

Mold loves to grow in damp locations that have little airflow. If there is high humidity level or water in your basement, this makes it a prime place for harboring mold. Even if they do spot mold in them, it’s common for people to ignore damp basements because they assume that the mold is harmless and will remain where it is. Unfortunately, mold can be damaging to structures, and its spores can easily become airborne. As these spores make their way around your home and through your ventilation system, they can begin new colonies in other areas of your home and cause health problems for your family.

Potential for Flooding

If your basement is anything but dry, then it may have a high potential for flooding in the future. Moist basements can be the result of poor drainage on your property that is allowing water to collect around your home’s foundation and accumulate on the sides or beneath your basement, leading to a buildup of hydrostatic pressure. If a heavy storm hits your area, you may find that your basement has flooded because of a weakened foundation, the walls or floors are cracked, or too much water has collected beneath your home.

Damage to Structures

Besides the destruction that mold can cause, water in your basement can lead to other issues. The excess moisture can cause wooden furniture to soften and decay, and this applies to your home’s structure as well. Decaying wood not only impacts your walls and floors, but it can also attract a variety of pests that can cause a significant amount of damage. Additionally, moisture can deteriorate the foundation of your home and create more ways for water to get into your basement. At the first signs of a wet basement, you should call your local waterproofing company.

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.

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.

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.