Combating Foundation Mold Problems for Homeowners in Indianapolis

If you’re a homeowner in Indianapolis, understanding what can cause mold in your home and what your options are is important. Mold is a serious situation that can affect your health and should never be left untreated. Read on to learn what can cause mold in the foundation of your home, preventive measures you can take today, and what to do if you believe your home has mold.

What Causes Mold in the Foundation?

There are many things that can lead to mold in your home’s foundation. Here are 3 things that homeowners in Indiana should watch out for.

1. Foundation Cracks: Foundations made of concrete are more likely to experience cracking. When this happens, it can cause water to seep into the foundation.
2. Humidity and Condensation: It’s not uncommon for basements to have cold walls. This is especially the case during the winter months. When you combine indoor heat with cold walls, you get condensation. Unfortunately, this leads to mold growth.
3. Basement Flooding: Basement flooding is another cause of mold growth in the home. This is often a result of sump pump failure. But it can also be a result of an old sump pump that stopped working. In any case, many homeowners believe that once they clean the basement their problem is over. But, this can be the beginning of mold growth in the foundation.

Signs You May Have a Mold Issue

If you have water sitting in any area of your home, there’s a good chance you will deal with a mold issue sooner or later. Here are 3 signs your home is compromised by mold.

• You notice mold in your basement as a result of a recent or past basement flood.
• Another sign you have a mold problem is if you have a leak in your roof or plumbing. This can be a result of water that is trapped inside your walls or under the carpet.
• Mold is in various parts of your home such as walls, ceilings, carpets, and books. You may also notice a musty odor throughout your home.

How to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home’s Foundation

The good news is, there are plenty of ways homeowners can work to prevent mold growth from occurring in their home. One of the first and easiest things you can do to prevent mold growth in the home is by drying wet areas immediately. Mold relies on water to grow so minimizing the chance is a great way to prevent mold from occurring.

Another excellent way to prevent mold growth is through proper ventilation, especially in the basement. It’s a good idea to set up a foundation drain and incorporate a dehumidifier. In addition, it’s a good idea to insulate your walls.

Homeowners should also improve airflow at home. This can easily be done by opening closets door more frequently, as well as, moving furniture away from walls to provide better ventilation for spaces that are more confined.

What to Do If You Believe Your Home Has Mold

Mold doesn’t just impact your home, it is also harmful to your health. For this reason, if you have mold in your home, it should be addressed as soon as possible. Homeowners should call a professional who is experienced in mold remediation rather than trying to troubleshoot the issue themselves.

Trying to get rid of mold yourself will only expose you and your family to the dangers of it. Instead, a professional mold remediation service will have the right tools needed to not only investigate the source of the mold but to successfully treat it. In addition to this, a professional will understand the growth cycle of mold and ensure that it doesn’t come back.