Waterproofing Solutions

Reduce Mold With Basement Waterproofing

Most homeowners see a dark, damp, musty basement filled with foul odors and bad smells as the norm, but these conditions are a definite sign of hidden problems and that could put you and your family members at risk of health issues; asthma, breathing difficulties, topical skin irritations, rashes and unexplained flu-like symptoms. Let's learn more about mold and how basement waterproofing can reduce the mold in your basement.

What are the Symptoms of Exposure to Mold?

These foul odors and bad smells can take over your entire basement in a short amount of time. And guess what? The smells originate from mold growing rapidly in your basement. If the growth of mold remains, you and your family are at risk of the effects of mold exposure. Common symptoms of mold exposure are red, itchy, irritated skin, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, and unexplained internal pain.

When should I Seek Medical Treatment?

If you or any other member of your family experiences these symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical attention or treatment, as soon as possible. A trained professional can perform the proper tests to determine if you have been exposed to mold. If these unexplained symptoms go undetected for a long enough, the mold spores can quickly multiply in your home, putting you and your family in a dangerous situation and at a greater risk of serious health issues.

What Are the Causes?

Some homeowners believe mold can only grow in the basement, but the truth is, mold can grow anywhere; basement, bathroom, kitchen and laundry room, or on any surface. Mold enters your home as a tiny spore and spreads at a rapid speed. Once a tiny mold spore enters your home, it can spread throughout your entire home, as mold spores are small in size and airborne. Read more waterproofing of wall

How Does it Grow?

Mold spores can form and grow within damp or wet conditions, in a very short amount of time. All mold needs to develop is moisture and a food source. Since mold spores tend to be airborne, they can easily multiply by simply falling upon a moist area in your home. Mold grows rapidly during the first 24 to 48 hours. But it needs food!

What Does Mold Eat?

Mold can grow on any form of fabric, wood and insulation-these are organic materials. This is why your basement is greatly at risk. But, once mold enters your home it can grow on almost any surface; ceiling tiles, wallpaper, carpet, wallboard, finished or unfinished drywall, sheetrock or other wooden surfaces. Mold basically grows on any surface. But it eats organic. So, it is best to purchase and finish inorganic, mold resistant materials for your basement.

Is it Possible to Protect My Home Against Mold?

Although there is no way to completely rid your basement or home from mold, the most effective way to protect your home is by waterproofing your basement. There are a lot waterproofing methods; paints and sealants that can be purchased over the counter in hardware and home improvement stores and centers across the country, but the most effective way to protect you, your family and your home from mold growth is through a waterproofing expert.

A good waterproofing expert will examine your basement and recommend the best and most cost efficient way to solve the problem. Basement waterproofing is most effective when completed through an internal system. This can include sump pumps, interior drainage systems, dehumidifiers, and more.

Once the waterproofer has prevented rainwater from entering your home and you've done your best to finish the room with inorganic materials, your basement is less prone to mold growth.

Basement Remodeling and the Need For Waterproofing

Practical homeowners are finding new ways to improve their homes, whether their purpose is to improve living spaces or if they are planning to increase their home values for a potential future sale. In either case, home remodeling projects would be the very thing that they need and this may involve one or more sections or areas of a house.

One area that has gained much popularity among modern homes is basement remodeling. Home improvements involving the basement have two primary reasons. The first one is to improve the basement as a safe a viable area for storing valuables and other items in the home that are not needed at that particular moment. Another primary reason for basement remodeling is to increase living spaces by trying to convert the basement as another usable room which can be used as a hobby or game area. It can also be used as another bedroom for a teenaged kid who has outgrown sharing rooms with other siblings.

However, one of the most pertinent problems that homeowners encounter with their basements is with regards to water damage. Basements, due to their special location in the home and in most cases underground, are basically surrounded by open ground or soil from all directions. Rains and outside moisture can dampen this soil, and in turn can seep through the walls of the basement causing potential water damage and all the other problems associated with it.

This is why a basement remodeling project should first and foremost consider proper waterproofing before trying to convert this room to other useful purposes.

The Need for Waterproofing in Your Basement Remodeling Project

As described earlier, the perennial problem with basements is moisture and without proper waterproofing any basement remodeling work would be rendered useless. Moisture or water that can seep through the walls and flooring of the basement can cause tremendous water damage to the structure. On top of that, moisture in basements can start a rash of mold and mildew infestation that can attack all organic materials that you are keeping in this room.

In modern homes, waterproofing the basement is already part of the design process and custom home builders would incorporate all the necessary methods and materials that basements would need to achieve proper waterproofing. This is imperative for areas that are prone to heavy rains or even flooding.

Before any basement remodeling work is done, it is important to have proper waterproofing activities be done first or incorporated as part of the renovation work. This move would assure the homeowner of a safe basement environment that would protect all and any home improvements that they will undertake here waterproof roof coating

Incorporating Waterproofing in Your Basement Remodeling Project

The type of waterproofing that you will need for your basement would depend on the current conditions that your basement is in right now plus a study on potential sources of moisture that could affect your basement. Work with qualified general contractors for this purpose so you can be assured of an effective and favorable result for your remodeling project.

Some of the modern waterproofing techniques that are employed for basements include the use of special watertight sealant on all surfaces in the basement including walls, ceiling and floors. A method called tanking can also be used and this involves coating not only the interior walls of the basement but also the outer walls using a highly water-resistant material. After the walls and flooring is sealed, a layer of waterproofing insulation is added before putting an external layer of plywood or other preferred building material.

Improving the home may involve utilizing extra or unused spaces like the basement and convert them into usable living areas or utility rooms. Basement remodeling can be a very productive and exciting project; however, there is a need to incorporate appropriate waterproofing techniques to ensure the effectiveness of such improvements.