One of the biggest offenders when it comes to mold growth is the basement. Even if you have a finished basement, there are still risks for having excess moisture down there, and as such, the potential for mold. Dirt basements and under home crawlspaces should not be overlooked. Standing water can be a big problem with this type of basement, and you may never even know it is there.

So, what can you do to make sure that you’re not living over a health hazard? First, you will need to determine whether or not you have any damp areas in your basement. The best time to look is right after a rain storm. Go down to the basement and start feeling the walls, stopping every foot and a half or so to check. Don’t just rely on your visual skills, since there may only be slight dampness.

If you feel any sort of water, condensation or you can actually see puddles or water stains, the time to take action is right now. Most homes that are in a flood plain or very wet area come with sump pumps, but this won’t help much for a simple damp area. The first place to start is ventilation.

Proper ventilation reduces condensation and helps water evaporate properly. If you don’t have a big problem with dampness but you do notice a few areas that could use some help, this may be the issue. Consider installing a ventilation system into your basement to solve this problem.

Next, if the area is not bad or if you cannot locate the source of the leak, installing a dehumidifier can be a great and easy fix. Some homes now have whole house dehumidifiers, but even a simple unit can do the trick. Make sure that you place the dehumidifier away from a source the water to avoid electrocution and check to make sure the unit is rated for your space.

If all of this fails, you may need to seal the walls of your basement. Check with a contractor before you start this and make sure that you read the directions carefully before proceeding. While this isn’t the perfect fix, it may be the only solution for chronically damp basements. Typically, using a mix of these techniques is very beneficial and will dramatically reduce the humidity and dampness of your basement.

You may also want to have an air quality test done in your basement if dampness has been a problem for more than a few months. These tests will help determine if mold is already present in your basement.

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Originally posted 2008-09-03 05:25:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Install eaves/gutters.

The best way to make sure that you don't have excess moisture running into your basement is to install gutters or eaves on your home. This makes a big difference and you can even utilize rain barrels at the ends to conserve water. These are not that difficult to install and can mean the difference between a basement that is nice and dry and one that has a foot of standing water. This is the first step that you should take.

2. Pour rocks along the side of your home.

Rocks absorb some moisture and after you've got your eaves up, you can line the sides of your home with a rock bed. On the plus side, not only will it help prevent excess moisture from building up, but it will also look very nice. Add in some plantings and you'll be all set.

3. Make sure outdoor faucets don't leak.

Many of us have outdoor faucets that are situated right next to basement exterior walls. Even a small leak on one of these faucets can mean big water damage over time. Make sure that your faucets are not leaking and line the area where they are with plastic so that when you are using them, the excess water does not drip down into your basement.

4. Use water blocker paint on basement walls.

Sometimes, and in certain climates, moisture builds up on the concrete blocks that are used to make basements, causing them to weep. There are several different types of paint that can be used to seal these up so that they don't cause water damage in your basement. Make sure that you open up any windows downstairs or use a fan for ventilation when painting since these paints can be very fumey.

5. Keep a sump pump on hand.

When all else fails and you've had a ton of rain or flooding, getting that water out as quickly as possible is vital. Invest in a good sump pump if you have had flooding before. This can make all the difference when it comes to the amount of water damage you have after a flood.

6. Try re-landscaping.

If you are frequently having to deal with water in your basement, your landscaping may be to blame. Find out if there are any slopes that are diverting water towards your house instead of away from it. You may need to hire a professional to help you correct any of these issues unless you already have landscaping experience.

These tips make it easy to keep your basement dry and your storage items free of water damage.

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Originally posted 2008-09-14 05:39:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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It is also vital that you ask for help. Many people can handle a great deal of the clean up and repairs, but if you have technical concerns, do not be afraid to ask for professional assistance.

Finally, it is vital that you flood proof because it is quite likely that your home will eventually become flooded again if it has flooded in the past. You can save your great deal of money by flood proofing during the repair and rebuilding processes. Here are a number of steps that will help you create a flood response plan.

Step 1 -

First and foremost you should take care of yourself and your family, alleviating any stress, fatigue and health issues that occur following a flood.

Step 2 -

The next step is to give your home some basic first aid, preventing any other damage from occurring to your possessions and the contents of your home.

Step 3 -

The third step is to get yourself organized, figuring out which items should be repaired and which should be thrown out, and more importantly, where to go from here.

Step 4 -

The fourth step is all about drying your home out, helping to reduce the hazards associated with mud, silt, contaminants and mold and mildew.

Step 5 -

The fifth step is to check on financial assistance because there are numerous options out there. There are voluntary agencies, insurance, businesses and other government disaster programs that may have the tools and resources that you need to get through the recovery process.

Step 6 -

Restore the Utilities, restoring electricity, clean water, heat and sewage disposal in order to make the rest of your work easier.

Step 7 -

The next step is the bulk of the cleanup, including the walls, the floors, the closets, the shelves, and everything else in your home. Everything needs to be washed and disinfected thoroughly.

Step 8 -

The eighth step is to rebuild and to flood proof your home. Take your time to do it correctly, making improvements that will better protect you should a flood ever occur again.

Step 9 -

Prepare yourself for the next flood by purchasing flood insurance, putting together an effective flood response plan and joining programs for community flood protection.

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Originally posted 2009-02-02 05:50:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Exterior Maintenance:

Often, the source of moisture or flooding begins outside the home. Gutters collect and move mass amounts of water on a single home with just a few inches of rainfall. A quick inspection of your gutters, down spouts, and the grading surrounding your foundation can indicate a potential problem. Gutters should be clean and properly sized for your home. Down spouts should draw drainage away from the home, to the lowest portion of your lot. In other words, the water should be directed to where it would drain naturally. Some areas allow drainage systems to be connected to city storm sewers and retention basins. Check with the water and sewer department in your area before making any changes that involve public systems.

The surface grading around your home should provide a gentle slope away from your foundation, pulling any added rainfall or moisture back into your lawn. Most building codes state that the surface grading should, in the first ten feet from the house, slope down at least six inches. Check with your local building codes to find out the specifics for your area.

Interior Maintenance:

Some basic steps for keeping your basement moisture free are to provide proper ventilation for dryers, bathrooms or any other sources of moisture, and making certain that your sump pump is in proper working order. It is essential in dealing with moisture, and during a flood can save homeowners thousands of dollars. A dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the air, which can aid in the prevention of the formation of mold.

Applying a waterproof sealant can keep moisture at bay and is not only easy, but relatively inexpensive to apply. Walls and flooring must be prepared before the sealant is applied, by scraping away loose materials, filling in cracks, and creating the cleanest surface possible by vacuuming. Simply follow the instructions included with the sealant for application and drying processes. If a sealant has been used in the past, but is no longer effective, you may need to remove the old material from your flooring before applying a fresh coat. This can be time consuming, but a little bit of extra work in the beginning of the process will yield a dry, moisture free basement in the long run.

Flooring Solutions:

If your basement is mostly used for doing laundry and completing small projects, a fresh, bright coat of paint is often enough to improve the appearance and help keep moisture at bay. However, a finished basement may have carpeting, tiles, and even hardwood flooring in some cases. Moisture and flooding can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage on these types of materials.

A simple, attractive and cost-effective alternative to these typical flooring materials is water resistant carpet tiles. Not only do carpet tiles not require a carpet pad, which can become soaked with water, causing a nightmare for homeowners dealing with flooding, but the tiles themselves are often water resistant and can be individually removed, cleaned, dried, and replaced in their original position at no cost to the home owner.

With a little knowledge and preparation, you can have not only a dry basement, but an attractive and inviting space that will likely add to the ultimate resale value of your home.

This was a guest post written by Jason Capshaw. Jason Capshaw is a weekend warrior and former general contractor. He loves woodworking and spending time on home improvements.

Photo Credits: cafemama

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When the proper safety precautions are taken, and when you have the right tools, you can fix your own roof. However, some leaks may require professional assistance, and it may be cheaper in the long run to have someone do it for you. Before you step one foot on your roof, carefully consider all of your options and put your safety first.

The first step to take when fixing your roof is to determine where the leak is and where the water is coming from. In some cases, the leak may not even be from the roof at all, such as when air conditioning lines leak. The first place to look are skylights and the flashing around your roof. Commonly, flashing around the chimney is the first place that leaks start since this can be blown off in bad weather.

If you are noticing water stains on your ceilings, the leaks may be harder to trace. The first step is to access either the attic or the crawlspace. You should be able to have a better idea of the origination of the leak from there. If you have several leaks, it may take a lot more time to track down each spot that is causing the problem.

Once you have determined the location of the leak, it’s time to head up to the roof to start fixing it. One leak will usually not require replacing the entire roof, and it is best to try to spot fix first before going to the extra trouble and expense of replacing a roof. Before you go up, you’ll need to have the right tools at your disposal. Purchase extra flashing to match what you already have, and have extra pieces of your roofing material ready to go.

You will also need a hammer, screwdrivers and a staple gun, depending on the type of roofing material you have. Access your roof safely and inspect the material and flashing. You should also take a look at the flashing by your gutters, since this is another trouble area. Once you have found the exact spot of the leak on the roof, you can better evaluate what needs to be done. Take your time and make sure that you do the job right to avoid having to go back up to re-fix what you might have missed.

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Originally posted 2008-08-28 05:20:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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