Basement Waterproofing Port Washington North, NY

Vulcan Basement Waterproofing In Port Washington North, NY

What is Mold

Mold is natural and exists almost everywhere indoors or out. Mold thrives in damp and humid environments.  Molds are fungi and as they grow they release spores into the air, which when inhaled, can make people sick.  When molds metabolize, they release microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs).  MVOCs are gases which are basically the waste product produced by mold as it grows,  which can irritate the eyes, the respiratory system, and cause very unpleasant odors in the basement and in the upper levels of the home.
Mold spores may get into your home through open doorways, windows, heating, and air conditioning systems with outdoor air intakes. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets.  Once a mold spore drops on places where there is excessive moisture, such as many basements, they will grow.  Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products encourage many types of mold to grow.  Other materials such as dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, easily support the growth of mold.

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.