Mold Odor and Health Concerns

The water that enters the foundation may contain bacteria that can grow in the damp pores of your walls and floors. This mold can be a black or green color, and is the cause of those "musty odors" that are present in both the basement and the rest of your home. Anything in or around the mold picks up the odors that the mold gives off. Anyone who has problems with mold and mildew, like allergies, often experience a series of health concerns as a result of exposure. Forced air furnaces can pick up the mold and redistribute it upstairs.

Efflorescence And Mortar Deterioration

As water is absorbed by the foundation, it dissolves the bonding agents in the mortar. The water then leaches these materials out to the inside. When the water evaporates, a white powder residue is left. As these bonding agents continue to be dissolved, the mortar becomes weak and begins to deteriorate. This area then becomes the next weakest point for cracking and water seepage.

Dry-Rot

Bacteria is also deposited in paneling, carpeting, clothing, furniture, storage and anything else that exists in the basement. This bacteria and fungus in water literally eats away the fibers that make up these items. The result is dry-rot damage. Once this type of damage begins, it simply spreads to anything else exposed. Paneling, carpeting, drywall, and floor tile are especially susceptible. Often they become ruined and must be replaced.

Rust

Moisture from either direct exposure or simply from damp air makes its way to appliances, tools, and anything else that rusts when exposed to water. These items continue to become damaged and eventually fail. The homeowner is exposed to additional expense of replacing these items.

Aggravation, Mess and Clean Up

Mopping, wet vacs and rags become the tools of the day when heavy rains begin to fall. Clean up can take hours. Add the mold, efflorescence and dry-rot, and the mess grows. Dry, usable space becomes what many now refer to their basement as the "dungeon"!

Insects

As water gradually increases the size of whatever weak point or crack it is flowing through, insects that live under ground around the foundation now have direct access to your basement.

Once these problems begin, basement space becomes unusable, and the value of the home decreases by 15% or more. With sellers' disclosures and home inspections, buyers become aware of the problem and the home becomes difficult to sell!