Get rid of mold—for good!
People are hiring service professionals for basement waterproofing in Baltimore, MD in hopes that they effectively reduce the threat of mold growth in their homes. There’s good reason to this. According to many professionals from various fields and foci, the presence of mold in our homes poses significant risks and detrimental effects on our health and well being. That’s why it’s a problem that is as urgent as it is when it comes to fixing it. That, and we simply don’t like having a strange, darkened, and spongy spot on our walls. In this article, we’ll go over some tips and general guidelines that homeowners can follow and practice to prevent any growth of mold or mildew.
Remember though, there’s nothing that quite compares to professional service in basement waterproofing in Baltimore, MD.
Let’s begin the article by first dealing with the different details about the enemy. For this, we’ll answer the simple question: what is mold? Mold is a fungus consisting of fungal hyphae, typically with a furry texture, and growing mostly in warm, moist conditions. Mold can grow on waterlogged walls, other water-damaged parts of the house, carpets, and even food. The usual symptoms and reactions to exposure to mold are: nasal stuffiness, coughing, throat irritation, wheezing, eye irritation and in some cases, skin irritation.
Scientists and different institutions have carried out researches and studies tackling the probable implications of indoor mold exposure. In 2004, sufficient evident was found in the link between indoor exposure to mold and upper respiratory tract symptoms and complications for both healthy and non-healthy individuals. Fortunately memory loss, lethargy and acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants has not been linked to molds. Surely with today’s advancements in science, researchers are delving more into this.
Where to check
It has been established that mold thrives in warm and moist environments. In the house, places such as the:
• Bathroom
• Laundry room
• Basement
• Kitchen (cupboard beneath sinks)
• Places with humidifiers
These places, especially the bathroom where mold usually grows in grout and in the corners of your shower cubicle, are places highly conducive to mold growth. It is important that you check these places, as well as other places in your house where levels of moisture and warmth are kept high.
What to check for
As per its description earlier, patches of mold are usually easily determined. They’re fuzzy growths that often come in green, brown, orange and black colors. Aside from these immediate visual properties, there are other elements that can be checked to determine if mold is growing in your house.
• Peeling, cracked paint
• Discoloration
• A recurrent black “soot”
• Bulging
• Musty, damp odors
One important thing to check also is the presence of water damage. Mold loves waterlogged walls, floors and ceilings, and water damage (through leaks, floods, spills) is the first step to inviting mold into your home.
4 Ways to Prevent Mold Growth
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to follow regular and thorough cleaning routines to make sure that your environments are safe from any possible mold growths. Here are four easy things to keep in mind to keep the dreaded patch out of your home.
• Humidity. With the advent of dehumidifying systems, and advancements in technology for home heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) purposes, one can now control the levels of humidity in your house and in your rooms. Lowering the level of humidity in your home makes it less attractive for mold to take root and grow there.
• Ventilation. Similar to the above, minus the need for fancy gadgets and appliances. By doing simple things like opening windows, letting natural air come in and ventilate previously stale spaces in the house, cleaning up cramped storage areas such as closets and cupboards, you lessen the chance of mold bacteria hunkering down in your household.
• Leak repairs. Don’t ever let your pipes go dripping on for long, extended periods of time. If you want to avoid a bigger problem, leak repairs for your piping and drainage systems should be top-priority. After all, a home is expected to be in top condition and good enough to live in comfortably.
• Flood control. We’ve all been there. If you haven’t yet, you’re probably either too young or live in California. Heavy rains come down, the basement floods, or there is the puddle and pool of rainwater resting comfortably in the middle of your house. What might be the cause? It could be damaged roofing, or your house’s siding, or your gutters. But the truth is, that small pool of water is the first omen that mold is coming to nest in your lovely, damp home. Hire the help of professionals or do all the heavy lifting by yourself; what you need to make sure is any and all flood damage that your house might’ve incurred should be cleaned up neatly.
Now, it might not be a bad idea to hire a professional for basement waterproofing in Baltimore, MD. Most companies out there that offer similar services also specialize flood control, drywall replacement and mold removal, so you have a full package available for your peace of mind.
