Any amount of water in the basement should be cause for immediate concern. It only takes 24 – 48 hours for water accumulation to turn into mold. Here are some of the most common causes for water infiltration in the basement.
Windows
If the basement has windows, it is extremely important to check the caulking around the windows. One small opening will accumulate enough water to result in mold behind the gyprock wall. You cannot see it but the air now has a mold count higher than the norm.
Brick Walls
If the house has brick walls it is very important for the weep holes on the lowest course of the brickwork to have an opening at regular intervals. Because brick is porous it retains high levels of moisture (water). The weep holes allow for the water to escape from behind the brickwork. The water is guided by a membrane below the lower courses of brickwork. If the membrane is punctured or the holes are blocked, the water (seeking its own level) will flow over the sill plate (top of the foundation and down the basement walls behind the gyprock walls). This water will then continue under a raised floor. These areas do not dry and because water becomes mold after 24-48 hours, this area would probably not pass an air test.
Decks
If there is a deck attached to the house, it is recommended to install a flashing behind the ledger board to ensure that water does not infiltrate over the sill plate on top of the foundation, otherwise water will enter the basement. The result is a higher than normal mold count in the basement.
Landscaping
If the soil around the house is not graded away from the house it will become saturated and the excess water can make its way into the basement. It is important to have the soil graded away from the foundation at the rate of a ½ inch slope per foot.
Downspouts
If the downspouts are not directing the water flowing from the gutters away from the foundation, water will pool at the base of the foundation and eventually find its way into the basement. Problem downspouts are often the cause of basement leakage adjacent to the downspout. Along with downspouts, the eaves troughs must be regularly cleaned in order for the water to flow.
During our free mold inspection not only do we assess what work needs to be done to completely eliminate the mold in your basement but we also identify the root cause so that you can address the problem and prevent future water infiltration.
If you suspect that you have mold in your basement but you’re not sure, don’t delay! Call us to schedule a free inspection today!