Mold can cause health problems for your family and lower the value of your property, and the basement is one of the most common areas to find signs of this problem. If you’re wondering if you need household mold remediation near Baltimore, then watch for the following signs of basement mold that shouldn’t be ignored:

Muggy Air

Homeowners sometimes assume that basements are supposed to feel damp and humid. While having high humidity levels in your basement might not be out of the ordinary for your area, moisture in the air plus the lack of air flow that is typical of basements can create the perfect atmosphere for mold to take hold. If your basement is humid, then there is a chance that you have a mold problem.

Musty Odors

Mold can be easy to identify by smell and if your basement has even a hint of a musty odor, then you are probably facing the early stages of a mold problem and should address the issue as soon as possible. To help prevent the mold from spreading and affecting the rest of your home, consider scheduling mold remediation and basement waterproofing services.

Health Issues

Does anybody in your household suffer from allergies, breathing problems, or other health issues while they are inside the house? If so, there is a chance that they are having a reaction to mold in your home. Health symptoms that worsen while indoors and subside outside of the home are a common sign of a mold issue and indicate that you should have your home checked for mold.

Patchy Spots

Sometimes, detecting mold in your basement can be as easy as sighting the fungus. If you’re concerned about mold, then give your basement a onceover. Look at the ceiling, behind furniture, and on the walls. If you can see patches of a brown, black, green, pink, or white substance anywhere in your basement, then there is a good chance that it is mold growth. Do not disturb the area and contact a contractor about mold remediation and basement waterproofing.

If you’re like many homeowners, it’s possible you don’t go into your basement all that often. You may avoid your basement because of the way it smells or feels, but a flooded basement in Baltimore is not something that should be ignored. Whether you have a small or large amount of moisture in your basement, it can quickly turn into a significant mold issue. Basement waterproofing can help prevent the damage that mold causes, including health issues and structural problems. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of basement mold growth.

Smells

Many people associate cool air with basements, but a dank or musty odor can be a sign of a problem. Mold in the basement gives off an unpleasant odor that is fairly easy to identify—but much more difficult to eradicate once it’s there. If you smell what you believe is mold in your basement, professional home mold remediation may be necessary to thoroughly deal with the problem. Mold can hide under your floors, in walls, in ceilings, and in drywall, making it difficult to get rid of on your own. While you might be willing to live with an unpleasant smell, there are other consequences of mold growth that are much harder to ignore.

Structural Damage

Your home is one of your biggest investments, and it’s up to you to make sure it is properly maintained for your family’s health and safety. If you have mold in the basement or in your crawlspace, it can create issues in other parts of your home. Mold grows and spreads rapidly, and can cause major damage if it is not dealt with properly. It can damage floorboards, walls, and insulation, making mold remediation a major undertaking.

Health Concerns

If you’re not convinced of the dangers of mold yet, consider its effect on your health. People who have allergies may experience more severe symptoms in the presence of mold, including skin and respiratory issues. Those who are dealing with compromised immunity are particularly susceptible to mold exposure. Basement waterproofing is one step in improving the health of you and your family.

When a new home is constructed, often the basement crawl space is vented to prevent moisture problems. However, if a home inspection reveals mold in your basement or crawl space areas, you may be a candidate for crawlspace waterproofing. With crawl space encapsulation in Baltimore , you will be able to completely seal your crawl space off from the elements. Special crawlspace waterproofing materials will be used to keep water, mold, mildew, and pests away from this vulnerable area of your home. To help you decide whether this service is the right choice for your home, here are some questions that you may want to ask your basement contractors about crawl space encapsulation.

What Are the Common Methods of Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Before you schedule your encapsulation appointment, you will want to ask your contractor about the methods that they will use to seal off your crawl space area. One of the most common crawl space encapsulation techniques is to place several layers of plastic sheeting around the crawl space area. The plastic sheeting will seal off the crawl space and keep it clean and dry.

How Can Crawl Space Encapsulation Benefit My Home?

If your crawl space is continually flooded with moisture, your home may suffer from serious structural problems. By setting up crawl space encapsulation, you will be able to prevent the damaging effects of flooding, excess humidity, and mold. Over the years, crawl space encapsulation will benefit your home by keeping it structurally sound.

Can Crawl Space Encapsulation Increase My Comfort?

Crawl space encapsulation can provide you with comfort benefits at home. When you encapsulate your crawl space, you will be able to help your HVAC system operate more efficiently. Since your heating or air conditioning will no longer send climate controlled air to your crawl space, your other rooms will remain at a more comfortable temperature. Throughout the seasons, you may find that your energy bills are lower after your crawl space procedure has been completed.

Water damage can pose a serious health and safety threat to yourself and your loved ones. To help you decide when it is time to set up basement waterproofing serving Baltimore, you will want to be on the lookout for the signs of excessive moisture on your walls. When your walls contain moisture, you may notice condensation on the surface of your drywall. Other signs of humidity and moisture problems include water stains on your ceilings, walls, or floors, as well as black mold growth.

If you are worried about water in your basement or behind your walls, be sure to get in touch with a basement waterproofing contractor . From mold removal to basement waterproofing and more, your contractors can offer the services that are required to protect your home from moisture and water damage. Rather than attempting to repair your moisture problem yourself, you can achieve the best results when you hire a team of professionals.

When you are getting your home ready for the fall season, you may want to consider setting up basement waterproofing services . If your area is hit by a major rainstorm, basement waterproofing can provide your house with a solid line of defense against flood water. A company that offers basement finishing and sump pumps in Baltimore will be able to install quality basement waterproof materials around your property. Along with waterproofing your basement, you can help prevent flooding by learning about some of the common causes of basement water damage. Read on for a look at the top three ways that water can get into your basement.

Through Foundation Cracks

Cracks in your home’s foundation can make your basement particularly vulnerable to flooding. As your foundation ages and settles over time, its concrete slab may form tiny cracks or fissures. Even if these cracks are not visible to the naked eye, they can let significant amounts of water into your basement space. To prevent water damage and soggy carpets, you will want to repair any damage to your foundation.

Under the Slab

Many basements sit on a concrete surface that is commonly known as a slab. If your plumbing develops a slab leak, the pipes that run underneath your basement and foundation may start to flood your home with water. A company that offers basement waterproofing services will be able to locate the source of your slab leak and provide you with top quality repair services.

From the Downspouts

You may be surprised to learn that the quality and condition of your roof can create basement water damage and flooding. If your roof’s downspouts are improperly placed, they may force water into your basement when it rains. Similarly, clogged gutters can also create basement flooding issues. To help prevent the damaging effects of flooding to your basement, you will want to have a team of waterproofing professionals identify any potential problem areas throughout your property.

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.

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.

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.