Beware of the Environmental Problems Associated with Wet Basements and Crawl Spaces

When you have guests over, it’s very rare that they will ask to see your crawl spaces or even your basement. Just because these areas aren’t often a prominent area of your house, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t implications that come with ignoring changes going on within them. Odds are, you won’t be renovating your crawl spaces anytime soon, but its important to make sure seepage or standing water in these areas don’t result in future house-wide problems.

Wet basements and crawl spaces can result in both short term and long term complications. From mold to structure damage, it’s hard to predict what the result might be, but it’s certain these types of situations need to be addressed. Mold remediation in Aspen, CO is just one of the many things you might have to look into when identifying the problem. Start by asking the following questions.

What are the causes of wet basements and crawl spaces?

The average wet basement or crawl space stems from surface water that isn’t properly drained away from the foundation wall. This can include a variety of things, from poorly installed gutters to excessive watering of nearby flowerbeds and shrubbery. If you don’t see anything obvious on your lawn, or if your gutters are in tip-top shape, you may want to look into adjacent lawns or landscaping. Nearby creeks and springs, even if filled in over the years, can still impact your home if they aren’t drained properly during heavy rainfall. As you can see, gutters are just one of many factors.

What problems can the wetness cause?

In addition to being a severe pain to navigate around, wetness or standing water can cause serious problems. Wet places usually have high humidity, which is prime condition for mold and fungi to fester. Along with the mold, moisture can slowly break down floor joists, beams, subflooring, insulation and electrical systems. The more moisture you get, the more damage can ensue with extreme instances of floors buckling and foundation erosion. These are all major detriments to your home’s value if you are looking to sell anytime in the future.

What can you do to fix it and prevent it in the future?

Mold remediation in Aspen, CO might be the first search on your list after discovering wet areas in your house, but actions can be taken to avoid ever getting to that point. As surface water damage is one of the most common causes of mold, it’s the perfect place to start. Landscaping decisions should be made to effectively direct surface water away from all sides of the house. This setup avoids water dampness in the house, prevents pooling water outside, stops soil erosion and keeps the foundation intact.

Most people don’t look at the environment around them in regards to wet basements or crawl spaces until the damage has already been done. Being proactive in making sure a period of rain doesn’t cause permanent damage to your home can go a long way. HealthSafe Inspections Inc. has seen all sorts of water damage situations and is here to help clean up the problem. Call today to learn more about our services!

Categorised in: Mold

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