Foundation Issues
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Result of Water Seepage: Mold, Mildew, and a Musty Odor
Mold only needs 20% moisture to grow. If you see mold, mildew, or smell a musty odor, chances are that’s only 10% of the total mold in your basement!
Facts About Mold
- Leaky or leaking basements can cause the growth of various molds and mildew
- Mold and mildew are living, breathing organisms that grow and multiply anywhere there is excessive moisture
- Mold and mildew can grow in the walls, carpeting, furniture, or anywhere else it can find a food source
- Mold is extremely hazardous to the health of your family, and should be dealt with immediately
Stopping Mold at Its Source
As part of our basement waterproofing services, Everdry Waterproofing will locate and remove any sources of basement mold. Without water and dampness to grow, the mold will dry up and die. As long as the source of moisture does not come back, neither will the mold.
Complete waterproofing will stop mold from growing back or ever appearing in the first place. If your basement hasn’t been waterproofed yet, explore our basement waterproofing options online.
One common issue is when the basement foundation is cracked or damaged, which lets water seep in and allows mold to thrive. Our high-pressure foundation crack injections can fix these problems quickly and easily. In some extreme cases, the foundation is too damaged for repair, and a foundation replacement is necessary.
If you’re not sure which service you may need, contact us for a FREE inspection!
Everdry Waterproofing also has a great selection of waterproofing products that can remove moisture from the air or prevent it from invading your basement in the first place!
What Are Some Tips To Remove Mold?
After the moisture source that is feeding the mold is removed, the mold will quickly die and become easier to clean. With a simple wire brush, scrape the mold off the surface until it’s completely removed. Then simply wash the surface with either a combination of bleach and water, or a household mold removal product, available from most hardware stores.
Removing mold without waterproofing your basement won’t do any good. Even after you clean it, if the water source remains, the mold will come back. If you find new mold growth after waterproofing, it could mean there’s a new source of water.
This page shows the water damage warning signs that you should be looking for.
Damp Spots on Walls
An unpainted block will turn dark gray when it’s wet. A painted wall will show discoloration, or a darkening of the paint. A poured wall might show discoloration. In any case, there might be white or dark outlines surrounding the area, which means that either leaked before, or substantial moisture has come through in that area.
Mold or Mildew
Mold and mildew are living, breathing organisms that grow and multiply anywhere there is excessive moisture. For those of us exploring our basements, mold and mildew can grow in the walls, carpeting, furniture, or anywhere else it can find a food source.
Peeling Paint
Sometimes paint gets old. When it does it can peel off the surface it was painted on, like the peeling paint you may see on old homes. But it doesn’t peel off just because its old. It can also peel off because:
- It was the wrong paint.
- The surface wasn’t properly prepared.
- There is dampness or moisture in the wall you are trying to paint.
- Paint will not stick to damp surfaces. It’ll discolor, or peel off much sooner than it should.
Rust on Appliances / Furniture
Metal is susceptible to rusting when there is excessive moisture. The rust may begin on fuse boxes, washers or dryers, or other metal appliances due to dampness. Once it happens, you have to completely remove the rust and repaint as soon as possible, and then look for the cause of the moisture. If not, the rust will reappear.
Musty Odor
Musty odors are merely the result of the decay process associated with mold, mildew and dry rot. It is the odor given off by the decaying material. Once you smell it, look for the source, and try cleaning any item that has the smell. If it returns, you’ll need to replace it.
Dry Rot
This can appear as a brownish-black fungus growth on walls, clothing and other surfaces; it typically grows on wood surfaces. Keep in mind that dryrot is a byproduct of the decaying process – you’ll need to not only replace whatever is damaged, but also find and cure the cause of the dry rot forming in the first place.
Cracked Walls and Floors
Cracks can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and directions. For example, you may see step-cracks on the wall. You might find vertical cracks, or horizontal cracks. In any of these cases, something is causing this to happen – cracks don’t usually appear naturally. It could be from settling, pressure on the walls or under the floor, or any number of other causes.
Warped Paneling
Wood is porous. It absorbs moisture. Warped paneling is a sign that excessive moisture exists, and you need to find out why. The good news: if you find the source, you can fix it so that your new paneling won’t warp. The bad news: you can’t repair warped paneling. You have to replace it.
Chalky White Substance
Concrete is made up of limestone, clay and mortar, and aggregate (stone). That white outline or spot you see is the calcium in the block leaching out. It’s an indication of water, excessive moisture, and is something you should pay attention to. It’s called efflorescence.
Bugs and Pests
Common pests and bugs found in basements are silverfish, centipedes, spiders, crickets, millipedes, ants, earwigs, and termites. Bugs and pests enter foundations through cracks, floor drains, and other structural defiant areas.