Mildew and mold are unsightly fungi that thrive in moist environments. If you’ve ever experienced water damage in your home, you probably know mold can develop on wood, wallpaper, tile, and drywall within a matter of days if the problem is not addressed immediately. Waterproofing your basement is the best way to prevent water from seeping into your home during heavy rains or after a pipe bursts. Taking preventative steps to mitigate the risks of flooding will save you a lot of time and money. The experts at Jaco Waterproofing, serving Indianapolis, IN, and Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, share some helpful information about flooding and mold.

Waterproofing for Flood & Mold Prevention

How Does Mold Form?

Mildew is mold in its early stages, and it will become mold as the colonies start to grow. Whitish-gray mildew can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours on damp surfaces, and it doesn’t take long until it turns into black, brown, or red mold. Spores can spread and keep infecting surfaces until the issue is eradicated. It can ruin the air quality and cause severe health problems, while also destroying your home.

How Should You Tackle Mold?

Mold is a difficult problem to handle without professional help. All of the contaminated surfaces must be removed, including drywall, tiles, wood, carpeting, and anywhere else mold is suspected. Additionally, any wet materials must be discarded, which includes furniture, books, bedding, baseboards, and insulation. Hard surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected with a 10% bleach solution to kill spores. To remove moisture, the space should be dried out with dehumidifiers. Air ducts can harbor spores and also need to be cleaned. It’s a strenuous process and must be handled thoroughly.

How Will Basement Waterproofing Help?

Waterproofing your basement consists of sealing off cracks in your foundation and walls and installing a drainage system and a sump pump to stop flooding before it happens. A sump pump will extract water from your home and move it through the drainage system before it has a chance to collect and damage the property.

Waterproofing is an invaluable service and will keep your basement protected and free of water damage. To learn more, contact the specialists at Jaco Waterproofing for a free estimate. They will inspect your house to determine the best flood mitigation methods. Call (317) 721-9379 to reach their Indianapolis, IN, office or (513) 738-008 to speak with their Cincinnati, OH, location. Visit their website for more information about foundation repairs.