How to Prevent Mold in Your Basement and Crawlspace

 

You might be shocked to know that 70% of homes contain mold. But many of these homes have negligible levels of mold spores present.

However, some homes have significant mold levels, making their environments dangerous. Thus, homeowners must hire companies to remove the mold, which is costly.

The better option for homeowners is to prevent mold from forming. Preventing mold is more affordable and safer, but how do you prevent it?

Keep reading this guide to learn how to prevent mold in your house.

Understand the Conditions That Cause Mold

Mold is a toxic substance found in many places. But mold needs the right conditions to form and spread.

The two primary things mold needs are water and heat. As a result, mold doesn’t form in dry, cold places very quickly. While it can develop in dry, cold spots, it’s more prevalent in moist, warm areas.

Thus, mold appears in specific areas of a home. For example, mold commonly forms in bathrooms. This is because a bathroom presents the necessary conditions that encourage mold growth.

Basements and crawlspaces are also areas where mold tends to form. Thus, to prevent mold, you must protect these areas.

Additionally, it might be helpful to learn the signs of mold. After all, if you know what to look for, you’ll find it easier.

The two most common signs are seeing and smelling mold. Of course, you’ll know you have mold if you see it. But you can also know if you smell musty odors.

Learn the Dangers of Mold in a Home

Why is it bad to have mold in your house? When mold is present, spores enter the air. As a result, anyone in the house breathes in these spores.

Some people have no reactions from breathing in mold spores. But others do.

Many people are allergic to mold. When they breathe it in, they might develop coughs, wheezing, or runny noses. Some people also develop respiratory infections.

People with chronic respiratory issues find that breathing in mold worsens their symptoms. For example, mold exposure worsens a person’s asthma symptoms.

Secondly, you can’t sell a house with mold. After all, no one will buy it. So you must address the problem if you have mold.

Then, you’ll need to perform the necessary steps to prevent it from returning. First, you’ll need the proper basement protection to prevent it.

Take the Right Steps to Prevent Mold

You can prevent mold by taking the right steps. Here are some you might need to complete in your home:

Maintain Your Gutters

The best way to prevent mold is by stopping water from entering your home. So the first step is to maintain your gutters. You’ll need to hire a gutter company to complete this step.

A gutter company can install gutters if your home needs them. They can also repair yours if they need repairs.

Additionally, it would help if you cleaned them regularly. Cleaning them ensures that water flows through them properly. After all, gutters are part of your home’s water drainage system.

Their purpose is to carry water away from the house. You can’t control how much rain occurs. But you have control over where the rainwater goes when it hits your home.

Install a Water Drainage System

Even with gutters, rainwater will land near your home. If it rains a lot, it could raise the water table on your property. Unfortunately, this leads to water entering a basement or crawlspace.

Thus, you can control it by installing a water drainage system. Contractors install these around a home’s perimeter. However, some homes have indoor drainage systems under the basement floor.

A water drainage system contains pipes with small holes. These holes allow water to enter inside. The pipes then transfer the water away from your home.

Install a Sump Pump

A sump pump is another critical component of a water-drainage system. This device pumps water when the water level reaches a specific point. Then, it transfers the water through a pipe.

The water lands in an area away from your house. The result is that the water won’t enter your home.

Encapsulate Your Crawlspace

Crawlspace encapsulation is a process involving several steps. The primary purpose is to seal a crawlspace. Sealing the areas stops water from getting inside.

You can also hire a company for basement waterproofing. The steps for this are similar to crawlspace encapsulation.

During this process, a contractor seals all the walls and floors. They use a water-resistance material that blocks water from getting through it.

Next, they look for leaks and vulnerable areas for potential leaks. Then, they seal these areas. Encapsulating a crawlspace or basement is vital for stopping water.

If you can stop water from getting into your home, you’ll prevent mold from forming.

Fix Leaky Plumbing Pipes

As you learn how to prevent mold, you might also need to address your plumbing system. A plumbing system contains two types of pipes: freshwater and drainage pipes. Both serve a vital role.

However, plumbing pipes can develop leaks or become loose. When you have loose or leaky pipes, they fail to stop water from getting into a house.

The solution is to fix every leaky pipe by hiring a plumbing company. They’ll inspect the system and fix any problems they find.

You might also get a plumbing inspection annually. Getting an inspection can help you prevent mold by addressing small issues before they escalate.

Preventing Mold Is Better Than Removing Mold

Living in a home with mold is harmful to your health. Mold also presents problems if you want to sell your house. So it might be helpful to take the right steps to prevent mold in your home.

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