Worried that there may be mold growing in your basement? The moisture in the air may be making your space a hotbed for unwanted clusters. Luckily, you can protect your home with the help of a variety of waterproofing measures.
Why Does Mold Grow Best In Basements?
Mold thrives when it has ready access to a dark and damp environment. If you don’t take the steps to waterproof your basement, the darker corners can rapidly become incubators for mold particles already floating through the area.
It’s most often organic materials that attract mold. Think about your drywall, wooden supports, or even your carpet. When you actively take steps to treat these materials, they’ll be less likely to harbor mold. If you forgo that treatment, however, you may rapidly find yourself dealing with unanticipated mold growths.
How Can Mold Impact Your Health?
Mold impacts each person differently. Not all molds can have a detrimental impact on a person’s health. However, most will. If you notice yourself having more allergic reactions than usual, there may be mold growing in your basement. Similarly, if you’ve never had an allergic reaction before but are having them now, or experience any of the following, you may want to call in the professionals for an inspection:
- Watering eyes
- Shortness of breath
- More illnesses than usual
That said, don’t expect these symptoms to reveal themselves all at once. Mold tends to affect the human body slowly. Most of the time, its impact on your health will appear over time. This is all the more reason to diligently try and care for your home, should you be considering waterproofing measures.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Growth?
Say you don’t waterproof your home. What signs will give away a mold infestation? There are several, including:
- Cracks in your walls and floors
- Leaks
- Standing water
- Water damage
- The smell of rotting wood or excessive mustiness
- Warping doors and window frames
- Bowing walls
- Higher electric and water bills
- Pests
These symptoms, however, are also indicative of water and structural damage throughout your basement and foundation. Even mold clusters may be a symptom of a larger problem throughout your home. If you suspect you’re dealing with more than a bit of errant moisture, you’ll want to get in touch with the professionals working in the Greenville, SC, area. The contractor you call out to your home will be able to differentiate between a mold infestation and a larger structural problem.
How Can You Prevent Mold Growth In Your Basement?
Luckily, there are a number of steps you can take to limit mold’s footholds in your basement. Some of the best ways to prevent mold growth include:
- Cleaning your gutters regularly
- Investing in dehumidifiers to limit your basement’s humidity
- Frequently cleaning your air conditioner’s vents and ducts
- Quickly sopping up any standing water in your basement
As mentioned, waterproofing your basement will also eliminate the moisture that allows mold to flourish. Some of the best waterproofing measures for a Greenville, SC, home include:
- Interior drainage systems
- Sump pumps
- Vapor barriers
How Can You Remediate A Moldy Basement?
Unfortunately, if you don’t act quickly enough, mold clusters will start to crop up in the darker spots throughout your home. The good news is that there are steps you can take to eliminate your clusters. Many DIY solutions, including baking soda and vinegar combinations, can be used to clear away clusters safely.
That said, some products – including many weed killers – have been inappropriately labeled as mold killers. The last thing you want to do when trying to clear mold out of your home is to make your living conditions worse. When in doubt reach out to a professional contractor for guidance. Most of the contractors operating in your area will be able to advise you on some of the best remediation steps to take such as how to clear the mold from your home and prevent it from returning.
Ready to protect your home from mold and the leaks that invite clusters in? The professional basement and foundation repair contractors operating out of Greenville, SC, will be able to inspect your home and provide you with a free quote on repair services.
