“This is the summer of rain!” This seems to be the statement each year in Windsor-Essex County as record rainfalls and/or flood warnings have been consecutively set in the area for the last nine years. Seriously. Type in “Windsor flood” and a year and you’ll see an article about it. If you live in the following areas Windsor-Essex County, the time is now to take proactive action against basement flooding.
There have been lots of improvements in the way moisture problems are managed. This includes waterproofing a basement. The basement area of a home is either partly or completely below ground level. So if you live in an area that has rain then it is certain at some point your basement will need to combat ground water seepage. This creates an increased moisture situation as it seeks to penetrate the basement walls and floor. The American Society has reported that about 60% of basements will suffer from ground water seepage within 10 to15 years of being built.
So, while it’s clear that basement waterproofing seeks to combat moisture problems, is it worth the effort? If you’ve had doubts about the need for basement waterproofing, you’ll want to read this article to the end.
Foundation cracks are going to appear in your basement, and they are normal. The type of crack you have however could be a problem. Almost every single home that has a buried concrete foundation will develop cracks in the walls or floor slab. Properly identifying the cracks and repairing properly is key.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you should always check for inside leaks first when trying to identify the cause of moisture in your basement. A water leak can come from numerous places: a shower, a sink, a toilet, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a bad pipe, just to name a few. Sometimes, if the moisture in your basement is located on the ceiling or walls beneath a bathroom or kitchen, an interior water leak is to blame. Find where the moisture is located and determine if something in that area is leaking.
Moulds are organisms which are neither plant nor animal. They are part of the fungi kingdom. Unlike plants, moulds do not get their energy from the sun through photosynthesis. In fact the sun’s ultraviolet light inhibits mould growth. Moulds also digest or “eat” the material they are growing on. The role of mould is to break down decaying organic matter such as dead plants, leaves or dead animals.
Basement or crawlspace mould is often the result of a source of moisture — leaky foundations or condensation from appliances are typical culprits. One of the first steps in the prevention of basement mould is to ensure that your basement is free of any moisture and doesn’t support a damp, humid environment where mould can thrive.