• Why Is Your Basement Wet?

    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 water damage

    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.

  • Reasons to Waterproof Your Crawlspace

    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.

    waterproof 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.

  • Preventing Your Basement from Flooding

    Are you trying to avoid having a flooded basement in Baltimore? Flooded basements can cause an array of problems throughout your house, including water damage and an outbreak of mold. One way to avoid a flooded basement is to install a sump pump .

    Watch this video to learn more about preventing your basement from flooding. When considering sump pumps, remember that many of the main varieties of sump pumps run on electricity. This is a convenient option that ensures that your sump pump is usually on. However, if your electricity goes out during a storm, your electric sump pump will fail to run. That’s why you should consider a back-up sump pump that runs on battery power or water power. These sump pumps can help you avoid getting water in your basement during flash flood storms that knock out electrical power.

  • 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.

    Dangers of mold in home

  • 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.

    mold removal in Baltimore

    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.

  • How a Wet Basement Can Affect Your Family

    If your basement always seems to be damp, it can make it difficult for your family to enjoy the space. You should hire a company to do basement waterproofing for you. Storm Waterproofing LLC can prevent you from having to deal with a flooded basement in Baltimore and allow you to start enjoying your basement space.

    When your basement is damp, it will often smell like mold and mildew. It will also make it just about impossible for you to store anything of value in it. You won’t be able to spend time as a family in a basement that’s wet, and you will likely have higher energy bills due to the lack of basement waterproofing. Water and air will both be able to seep into and out of the space as they please. To start making the most of your basement, you should waterproof it and do basement finishing. When you decide that you are ready to take those steps, Storm Waterproofing LLC will help you get rid of the water in your basement once and for all.

    Basement waterproofing in Baltimore

  • Making the Most of Your Basement Space

    Do you have an unfinished basement that you’re not using at the moment? You are wasting a huge opportunity. You should invest in basement waterproofing today, finish your basement off, and start using it. You could add a living room to it, convert it into a suite for a relative, or have a play area for the kids. It will allow you to make your home larger and increase its value. Start by working with a company that can do basement waterproofing serving Baltimore, and then try making one of these improvements to make the most of your basement space.

    Basement waterproofing Baltimore

    Build a Living Room That Your Whole Family Can Use

    If you and your family love to spend time watching TV and movies together, then you should turn your basement into a large living area where you can spread out and watch whatever you want. You can install a flat screen TV, a surround-sound speaker system, and comfortable couches that will allow you to relax. You will enjoy spending time in your new living space, and as long as you have basement waterproofing done, you won’t need to worry about water damaging anything that you put in your finished basement.

    Create a Large Playroom for Your Kids

    Is your home filled with toys? Are you tired of spending your days picking them up and putting them away? Then you should consider putting a playroom in your basement where your kids will be able to play with whatever they want without creating a huge mess in your home. By containing the toys to a room in your home that your guests won’t see, the kids will have a space where they can play and you can cut down on time it takes to clean before company comes over.

    Add a Bedroom and Bathroom

    Whether you want to create a new bedroom for one of your older kids or you are looking to create space for an elderly member of your family, you can do it with basement space . Basement finishing will make it easy to increase the livable space in your home in a matter of weeks.

  • 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.

    Difference between mold and mildew

  • Signs That Your Home’s Foundation Needs Repair

    The foundation of your home is obviously very important to it. Without a strong foundation, your home will deteriorate over the years and, eventually, you will see signs that will show you that it’s time to have foundation repair done. One way to avoid the need for foundation repair is to have basement waterproofing done. Basement waterproofing serving Baltimore will help protect your foundation and keep it strong. If you choose not to have it done, here are some of the things that you make start to see as a result of your weakening foundation.

    Home foundation repair

    Uneven Floors

    Have you noticed that the floors in your home suddenly feel like they are sloped? This is one of the ways you will be able to tell that you need to have foundation repair. When your home shifts due to your failing foundation, the floors will become uneven in different parts of your home. Your floors should be level at all times, and if they’re not, then you know that you have a serious problem. You should have an engineer come to your home to take a closer look at your situation.

    Cracks in Walls

    Cracks in your walls can be caused by things other than just your foundation, but if you notice several cracks in your walls throughout your home, chances are you have a problem with your foundation. These cracks will form over time as your foundation fails and, while you can cover them up temporarily by painting over them, they will return before long. Have your home’s walls examined right away if you find that there are cracks in them that are getting worse.

    Doors and Windows That Don’t Open and Shut Easily

    When your home needs foundation repair, you will usually find that the simple task of opening and closing a window or door is difficult. Foundation issues will affect the alignment of doors and windows and make it almost impossible to use them normally. Basement waterproofing and foundation repair will help to prevent damage to your home that comes along with foundation issues.