My Basement Stinks! Help!

It's possible-- you can have a clean, comfortable and dry basement. Want to know what else? That musty, stinky basement smell will vanish!

As the fall is in season the heavy humidity of the past summer months is behind us, but what were the effects of the summer?

Condensation and humidity are common results of the summer months and thus moisture rises throughout your home and we can't forget-- mold!

Where Can Mold Grow?

Mold can grow almost anywhere that there's at least 60 percent humidity. That means your basement or crawl space doesn't have to be flooded, it just has to have moisture. So, if it's rained and carpets, wood and other items never truly recovered from the damage-- it's possible you could develop a mold problem.

Not only does mold need moisture, but it needs food. Mold feeds on organic materials such as your carpet, wood, cardboard and other similar items. And when you have mold, you have must and that stinky old basement smell. Worst of all, whatever air is in your basement will at some point also end up throughout the rest of your home.

If it's time your basement had a makeover to make for a more livable space without the mold, moisture and water damage-- then keep reading to find the right basement waterproofing contractor for you.

Why is Mold So Frustrating?

Well, it smells, it makes you sick and worsens your allergies. Maybe a better question is what are the good things mold has to offer?

Unfortunately, there's no real good answer to that question because mold is a nuisance and not much of a benefit. However, this problem can be controlled and even prevented!

As previously mentioned, mold loves to eat organic material and live in moist environments. In other words, any organic compound was once a living object such as wood coming from trees. Can you see the problem?

If mold loves wood and carpet and other organic items common to most basements then how is it possible to control, better yet, prevent the mold?

If you've ever wiped away mold you've probably noticed how quickly it can grow back. That's because you haven't removed the source!

Mold Removal That Works

The key to mold removal is finding the source of moisture. Without moisture, mold can't grow. Your basement harbors such high levels of moisture because of the reaction between the outdoor air mixing with the indoor air.

If the air outside is hot and humid and your basement's air is cool, then the air will cool as it enters your basement. Every degree air cools the relative humidity increases by 2.2 percent!

This means the summer months are prime times for mold growing. If you've begun noticing a raunchy smell around the house, or in the basement, it just might be the mold that was growing over the summer! Now's the time to look. If you find any mold, be sure to utilize these mold solutions:

• Vapor Barrier Protection: Separates your basement from the earth, thus reducing the moisture.
• Sump Pump System: Catches the water building up beneath your foundation and beneath the vapor barrier. It diverts the water away from your foundation and pushes it out to a safe spot away from your home.

If you are looking for a basement waterproofing company in Duffield and the surrounding areas, look no further than Fortress Foundation Solutions!

Call us today at 1-434-473-7012 or contact us online for a free estimate!