Basement Waterproofing North Hills, NY

Vulcan Basement Waterproofing In North Hills, NY

How to get rid of mold

Mold growth can be slowed down by keeping humidity levels below 55%.  The use of dehumidifiers and air conditioners will make a huge difference.
A number of commercial and natural products can be used to remove mold from hard surfaces.
Use exhaust fans and proper ventilation in the home and especially in the basement.
Clean bathrooms and kitchens with mold killing products.
Don’t use carpeting in bathrooms and basements – ever.

What is the difference between mold and mildew?

Mold and mildew are both fungi and their spores are always flying through the air.  Basements often provide perfect growing conditions for both as they thrive in humid, damp conditions.  Mildew is commonly gray or white.  Mold is usually black, red, green, brown, or a combination of these colors.

A More Detailed Inspection for Basement Water Damage

Even if none of the above problems seem to exist, continue with a more detailed inspection of your basement walls.

  • Poured concrete walls
    efflorescence (a whitish powder) could indicate seepage and porosity that tend to worsen.
  • Wall surfaces
    Search for vertical or horizontal cracks. Some may have fully penetrated the wall, opening routes for water entry – depending on local water table and soil conditions.
  • Construction joints
    Explore for openings where basement walls and floors meet. Such gaps can admit water and insects, as well as lead to cracked floors.
  • Mortar joints
    Inspect mortar joints especially around below-grade piping and conduits when leakage appears, your floor space could be rendered unsafe for storage, carpeting or laundering use.
  • Structural points
    Examine corners where frames butt against foundation walls. These junctures are often uneven, resulting in gaps.
  • Efflorescence
    The appearance of efflorescence warns that basement water seepage is threatening your foundations and that cracks will endanger your basement floors.
  • Water pipes
    Check your pipes for excessive condensation.
  • Masonry block walls
    Look for signs of staining in the block closest to the basement floor. This could mean water is building up inside the wall and deteriorating the block’s integrity.