When you own a home, you want to keep it as nice as you can and make sure that you are keeping you and your family healthy and safe while you are living there. This means making sure that your home is structurally safe so that you are not experiencing uneven floors and steps, sticking doors, and large cracks.
It also means checking your home for mold and resolving the issue. While it may be tempting to disregard mold and mildew because they can be very common, mold should be dealt with as soon as possible. Plus, the source of the mold should be resolved. If the mold is just removed and nothing else is done, it will happen again. You need to get to the source of the issue.
How is Mold Caused? Why Worry About It?
Mold and mildew are caused by moisture and are secondary types of water damage. Seeing them on your floors and walls is not only unsightly but depending on the material they are latched on, like wood or other natural materials, mold can rot the surface and create cracks and damage. Molds are the number one cause of allergies and asthma in the home. Mold releases spores and there is a good chance that you and those living with you will inhale it. Depending on the type of mold, the toxins, such as mycotoxin, will spread throughout your home serving as the stepping stones for future symptoms like:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Having difficulty breathing
- Skin allergies
- Asthma
- Bleeding of the Lungs
- Other Respiratory Ailments
How Do I Resolve the Issue?
Remove mold and mold spores from the surfaces of your home with the help of KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair. We know that living in a home is much better where you can breathe easy knowing that you and your family are safe and healthy. Our experts will clean out your space and get rid of any mold present. Next, they will install a vapor barrier to keep out any future moisture and mold. We will also examine your foundation for cracks or other areas that are letting in the moisture that is causing the mold. If there are cracks or other issues, we will diagnose and resolve these after cleaning up mold and before putting up the vapor barrier.
If you’re interested in keeping your family safe and healthy, give KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair a call at (816) 237-7175 or click through to schedule a free consultation to explore solutions with you. We also offer the following services, which will help reduce the occurrence of said organisms.
- Basement waterproofing
- Sump pump systems installation
- Moisture control
If moisture is a prevalent problem in your property, expect to see mold growing on your floors and walls. Mold may not look like an immediate household threat, but allowing it to spread on your property is very dangerous. Extended exposure to mold causes serious health problems. So, in order to avoid the dangers of inhaling mold, you need to create a moisture-free environment. You can achieve this by adopting the following moisture prevention techniques:
Insulate and Encapsulate
Condensation usually occurs near and around your property’s metal pipes, water heaters, and concrete walls. The water droplets left by this process encourage mold growth. To make things worse, the areas favored by mold are found in your basement or crawl space places that are difficult to reach and maintain. Insulating your basement walls and encapsulating your crawl space can solve your property’s moisture problem. These measures protect your pipes and water heaters from condensation by forming a vapor barrier that keeps out moisture.
Repair All Water Leaks
Excess moisture is often caused by a leaking tap, pipe, or roof. You need to seal these leaks immediately to keep mold from manifesting in these places. Some leaks you can repair on your own. However, if the leaks are too difficult to handle or are in hard-to-reach areas, call the professionals to have them repaired.
Mold & Allergens Causes & Effects
If you find that nasal allergies still bother you even after winter has already gone, you may have a mold allergy going on. Mold is, unfortunately, everywhere: it’s found in the leaves outdoors, it’s the prime reason for rotting wood, and it can grow indoors in the corners of damp basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. The likelihood of mold allergies becoming a year-round occurrence is real.
The mold consists of microorganisms that are usually found in dark, damp, and humid areas. Places such as your basement, attic, or crawl space are the perfect breeding grounds, especially if they have been ignored. A small patch of mold might not be so much of a threat, but if left untreated and given the opportunity to spread and grow, it can heavily affect one’s health with sensitive individuals being the most vulnerable.
When mold reproduces, they diffuse their spores into the air. The spores attach themselves onto nearby surfaces to start the cycle once more, but those that are airborne can find themselves moving into the lungs of unsuspecting victims. If a person is exposed for too long they could experience the following symptoms, which can lead to allergies, respiratory problems and in extreme cases, even lung cancer.
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Coughing and sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- The tightening of the chest
To control this kind of allergy, avoid mold completely whenever possible – and although it will be nearly impossible to avoid mold outdoors, indoors you can successfully limit your exposure to it by making sure your home is healthy and dry.
How To Prevent The Growth of Mold The Right Way?
A lot of problems begin with mold and the best solution to deal with the organism is to remove the conditions that caused it to grow in the first place.
Here are a few tips and tricks you can use, to keep mold from growing in your home.
- Fix any foundation leaks or cracks to reduce moisture buildup from groundwater seepage
- Repair any pipe or plumbing leaks in your home
- Use an antibacterial spray or cleaner when cleaning your home
- Immediately dry heavily soaked items
- Encapsulate your entire crawl space, separating it from the outside air
- Perform routine mold inspections around your property
- Keep your ventilation and ductwork clean
- Ensure your dryer vents are properly vented outside
- Install a dehumidification system in your basement or crawl space
If you wish to protect your home from mold and its dangerous effects, contact KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair and we will be more than happy to equip your home with moisture control products or have our team of expert workers waterproof your basement.
Call us to schedule a free consultation.
Your Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair experts in Johnson County, Kansas including Prairie Village, Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, and more!
How to Prevent Mold Spores in Your Home?
Keeping your homes dry may be hard work, but the positive effects can last a lifetime. Everyone wants to live in a dry comfortable home and getting rid of the moisture in your basement or crawl space is important for preventing the occurrence of mold and mildew.
Mold and mildew are organisms that are usually undetected by the human eye. Though it does appear to be harmless, having it manifest in your home can be very dangerous. Mildew is a type of fungus that consists of hyphae, or fungal filaments and mold can come in one of these three most common types:
- Pathogenic Mold
- Allergenic Mold
- Toxic Mold (black mold)
These microorganisms are not the fastest alive beings, but they spread dangerous spores. These spores, if inhaled and constantly exposed to, can cause various health issues and symptoms.
Sadly, a lot of homeowners turn a blind eye when it comes to the presence of mold and mildew, and by the time they are faced with the troublesome consequences, it is already too late.
Tips on Preventing the Spreading of Spores
- Check Your Home for Leaks, Floor & Wall Cracks, and Ground Water Seepage
- Inspect the Cleanliness Levels of Your Ventilation System and Ductwork
- Use Antimicrobial Spray when Cleaning Mold Infested Areas
- Thoroughly Dry the Areas that Are Often Exposed to Water
- Consider Installing a Vapor Barrier in Your Basement or Crawl Space
- Most Importantly: Install a Dehumidification System in Your Basement or Crawl Space
We, at KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair, know how much damage mold and mildew can create. Click through to schedule a consultation today to explore how to dry your basement and keep you home free of mold and spores so that we can help you get rid of these dangerous organisms, even before they show up.
With the help of our services such as sump pump systems, basement waterproofing, and various moisture control products, your home will be a safe environment for you and your family.
Proud to work to keep families in dry and strong homes in Johnson County, Kansas including, Mission, Mission Hills, Olathe, Roeland Park, Merriam, and more!
Consider Having a Dehumidifier and Sump Pump in Your Basement
If you want to be prepared for any water-related disaster that may cause moisture buildup, consider installing a dehumidifier and a sump pump in your basement. Both systems have a way of removing or reducing moisture in your property. In order to experience the benefits of these systems, you must choose the correct type of dehumidifier or a sump pump that fits your basement.
If you are looking for professional mold removal services in Kansas City, Missouri & Overland Park & Olathe, Kansas, contact KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Inc. Armed with decades of experience and the necessary tools, we’ll eradicate the nasty fungus from your property. We also offer professional basement waterproofing to help you create a moisture-free basement. Contact us for a free consultation and estimate.
