-
How Unsealed Crawlspaces Attract Pests
If you’re like many homeowners, then you want to do what you can to protect your house from damage. However, crawlspaces are areas of the home that are often ignored but could benefit from crawlspace waterproofing services. Crawlspaces can provide pests with easy access to your home, allowing them to enter and damage the building’s structure. Continue reading to learn why you should consider crawlspace encapsulation in Baltimore if you want to protect your home from pests.
When a crawlspace isn’t sealed, it can give critters like rats, mice, raccoons, opossums, termites, and cockroaches an easy way to access your home. Crawlspaces can be attractive to these pests because they are often cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter due to your home’s air conditioning. Also, these spaces are prone to excess moisture, and water will always be attractive to pests and animals. Finally, the excess water in a crawlspace can cause wood in the structure to rot, making it highly attractive to termites. For these reasons, scheduling crawlspace waterproofing services and installing a crawlspace dehumidifier is an excellent way to help protect your home.
-
How Mold Can Contribute to Poor Health
People often dislike the idea of having mold in their home because it looks unattractive and smells unpleasant. However, mold can cause additional issues for your family that can potentially affect their health. If you know or suspect that your home has mold, then there are several reasons why you should consider mold removal near Baltimore .
Health problems caused by exposure to mold can range anywhere from mild to major. Some common symptoms that sensitive individuals experience around mold include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, and rashes. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks in people with asthma, and toxic varieties can cause severe issues such as hallucinations, seizure, confusion, and memory loss.
If it turns out that you do have mold in your home, then there are several steps that you should take. First, have your home inspected and tested for mold to gain more information. Next, conduct any necessary fixes to reduce the moisture level in your home, such as crawlspace waterproofing or sump pump maintenance. Finally, contact a mold remediation company about professional mold removal services.
-
Containing Mold Growth
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
-
The Dangers of Removing Household Mold
Are you attempting mold removal near Baltimore ? It’s important to hire a professional to perform mold remediation if your house is experiencing a mold problem. Attempting to take care of household mold yourself without the proper equipment or expertise can be dangerous. If done improperly, your attempt at mold cleaning can actually spread mold spores further throughout your home and cause the mold to return in a stronger form.
Mold remediation is a difficult task for several reasons. First of all, mold often originates in HVAC systems, meaning that harmful mold spores are constantly being circulated throughout the home environment. This means that multiple areas of the home must be cleaned in order to completely eliminate a mold problem. In addition to your HVAC system, your home’s ductwork will likely also need mold remediation. Only a professional with the right experience and equipment is prepared to perform mold removal safely and effectively. In order to prevent any future episodes of mold in your home, the professional may also recommend that you have your crawlspace encapsulated so that it remains waterproof and mold averse.
-
What Type of Mold Is in Your Home?
If you ever have water in your basement or any other part of your home for any reason, there’s a good chance that you will be forced to deal with mold. Mold only needs a small amount of moisture to grow, and once it starts to spread, you will need to have mold remediation done to get rid of it. Mold removal near Baltimore is important because mold can cause a series of health concerns. Check out several types of mold that can grow in your home and learn about why you should have mold cleaning completed as soon as you detect it.
Aspergillus
This is one of the most common types of mold, and even if you clean your house every single day and have never encountered any issues with mold, you probably have aspergillus mold spores inside of your home. You likely breathe them in all the time without any issues. However, aspergillus is commonly found on foods and inside of air conditioning systems, and if you suffer from allergies, it could cause allergic reactions in some people. If you have too much of it in your home, you will likely notice the side effects of it.
Cladosporium
Much like aspergillus mold, cladosporium mold is not toxic to people, but it can cause you to suffer from allergic reactions if you breathe in the spores from it. When it grows on surfaces, it is usually black or green, and it has been known to grow on the back of toilets, in air ducts, and even on some painted surfaces. If you see it growing, it could eventually become problematic, so you should have it removed right away.
Stachybotrys Atra
This type of toxic mold is known by another name: black mold. Black mold is the most dangerous type of mold, and if you ever see it growing in your home, you will need to have mold remediation done immediately. Black mold can affect your health and, in some cases, breathing in too much black mold can result in death. You should make black mold removal a priority.
-
Mold vs. Mildew
Most people clump mold and mildew into the same category, and while there are some similarities between the two, they are actually quite different. A mold remediation company will not be able to deal with them in the same way. Watch this video to see the differences between mold and mildew before you have household mold remediation near Baltimore done today.
One of the reasons that people think of mold and mildew as being the same thing is that both thrive in moist areas of homes. If you ever have a leaky pipe in your home or water in the basement of your home, it may smell like mold or mildew. However, a mold remediation company will be able to correctly identify whether you have a mold or mildew problem and deal with it right away. Mold in particular should be dealt with immediately to prevent health issues.
-
What are the Differences Between Mold and Mildew?
Mold and mildew are often mentioned in the same breath, and they actually have quite a few similarities. They both grow in moist areas, and they both strike fear in the hearts of homeowners who use techniques like mold remediation to get rid of them. But they also have many differences. Storm Waterproofing LLC can identify them for you and help you decide whether or not you need to have home mold remediation in Baltimore .
One of the biggest differences between mildew and mold is their appearances. Mildew is a surface fungi that is typically either gray or white, and it can be removed from your home by scrubbing it with a brush and a household cleaner. Mold, meanwhile, is usually black or green and, when it appears in your home, it will likely not be contained to one place. Mold can spread quickly, so mold remediation must be used to take care of it. Mold cleaning is a delicate process that must be done properly to eliminate mold once and for all. When you call on Storm Waterproofing LLC for assistance with a mold or mildew problem, we will work to get rid of it for you right away.
-
How Mold and Mildew Can Affect Your Home and Health
Mold and mildew exist in every home, and are particularly prevalent in areas where moisture levels are high such as a kitchen, bathroom, basement, or crawlspace. If mold is allowed to grow uncontrolled, it can pose a serious health risk to you and your family. If you’re experiencing symptoms that may be mold-related, or you suspect that you may have a mold infestation in your home, contact a trained professional who specializes in basement and crawlspace waterproofing, mold inspection, black mold removal, and home mold remediation in Baltimore .
The Difference Between Mold and Mildew
Though both are fungi and closely related, mold and mildew are morphologically different. For example, mold can occur in a range of colors that include black, gray, green, red, and orange. Mildew, on the other hand, only occurs in varying shades of white, and tends to grow on the surface of things, which makes it relatively easy to clean up. Mold can grow aggressively into whatever media it’s attached to, and it’s more difficult to get rid of.
Symptoms of Mold and Mildew Exposure
Of the two fungi, mold can be more toxic. Mildew exposure can cause headaches, coughing, sore throat, sneezing, and breathing problems. Mold exposure includes all the symptoms of mildew exposure, and: sinus infections, migraines, allergic reactions, rashes and hives, inflammation and pain in joints, depression, extreme fatigue, pneumonia, and potential death.
Common Types of Mold Found in Homes
There are three types of mold that can be found in homes. The first, and most common, is Aspergillus . It can be found in the soil, growing on fruits and vegetables, and growing on nutrient-poor items such as plastic, glass, and concrete. Aspergillus is the least harmful to your health—people who are sensitive may develop allergic reactions. Cladosporium is another common mold found in homes, and can occur on household surfaces such as wallpaper, carpet, wood, insulation, and HVAC fans. The last, and most dangerous, is the infamous black mold ( Stachybotras chartarum ). Black mold grows readily on materials that have a lot of cellulose in them like gypsum board, paper, drywall, and dust. If you suspect you may have black mold in your home, contact a mold removal expert immediately.
-
The Link Between Mold and Allergies
When you or a loved one suffers from allergies at home, there could be a chance that your household has a black mold issue. In fact, black mold is among the most common allergens found on Earth. After you schedule black mold removal for your basement, you may notice a relief in many of your indoor allergy symptoms. Some of the common black mold allergy symptoms include respiratory problems, sinusitis, and other health issues.
For help with any mold remediation needs, contact a company offering basement waterproofing and mold removal near Baltimore. By setting up mold removal for your home, you can help to relieve your allergy symptoms. To take a closer look at the link between mold and allergies, be sure to check out this video.
-
How to Mold Proof Your Basement
Your basement is most likely one of the most damp and humid rooms in your home. This means that it is highly susceptible to a mold infestation, which may require a professional mold remediation near Baltimore to remedy. Finding mold in your basement is an unpleasant experience. Luckily, there are several preventative ways to mold proof your basement and limit your family’s exposure to mold.
Watch this informative video to learn how to create a waterproof basement. One way to guarantee a dry basement is to make sure that water does not get into the space in the first place. You can do this by sealing concrete floors and walls, maintaining your plumbing lines, and by installing a sump pump. There are basement waterproofing companies in Baltimore that can perform this project for you, ensuring a watertight seal around your basement or crawlspace.