When Should I Have My Home Waterproofed?
Many homeowners inquire about the best time to have their basement waterproofed, and we at AA Action Waterproofing say that any time is the best time! It is never too late to have waterproofing performed on your home, and even after you’ve had a flood or a leak, we suggest waterproofing to prevent the occurrence from happening again in the future. No matter the season, no matter the time of year, waterproofing is always a smart investment to make in your home. Continue reading →
Waterproofing isn’t always the end-all be-all answer to mold, as the tiny particles of moisture in the air can be enough to prompt mold to grow. Even if leak and flood risks have been eliminated, these teeny tiny particles can still provide just enough moisture to give mold it’s trifecta for life, and one of the best ways we recommend keeping this mold out is by keeping a dehumidifier on hand. Maryland can be home to some moist air, and underground air can be moist to begin with, so investing in a dehumidifier to eliminate basement mold growth is an idea any homeowner should consider. 
When mold begins growing in your home, it can really do a number on your property. In basements used for recreation, bedrooms, or storage rooms, the property you keep in the space can be come destroyed with a shocking rapidity if mold is present, and there is so much property that mold can destroy. Mold feeds on cellulose, which cotton, paper, drywall, and all types of other belongings are made from, meaning a vast majority of your belongings can become mold food if the right conditions are present. 
Maryland’s mid-Atlantic region is rough on basements, and the frequent moisture experienced in this part of the country can allow water to make its way into your home easily. We at AA Action Waterproofing want to break down what each season can do to your un-waterproofed basement, and how waterproofing can help you to get through each season in a dry and safe way: 
We know that mold needs three things to survive – warmth, moisture, and a food source. Because of this, many homeowners don’t really think about mold growth during the winter, but this is a pretty big mistake as Maryland has just the right conditions to promote mold growth during the winter as well. Maryland winters may be filled with crisp dry air, but there’s plenty of moisture from time to time as well. Your home will remain at just the right temperature for mold to thrive, so as moisture works is way in, and comes into contact with your belongings and your temperate indoor atmosphere, the perfect conditions are met. 
If you are in the process of having your home built, and you want to avoid a leak or flood occurring at all in the structure, we often suggest having waterproofing performed during the construction process itself. While the basement is being constructed, waterproofing can be constructed right along with it, and this can ensure your home is truly ready to be lived in the second you move your family in! By having waterproofing performed as part of the construction process, you’re allowing yourself a home that is most likely to stay dry, safe, and mold-free. 
Mold can begin to grow in your home due to a leak, due to moisture in the air, or due to basement flooding or previous moisture. When mold gets in, you’ll need to get it out, as your only other option is risking the property damage and the health risks that come along with allowing the mold to continue to grow. When provided with moisture, a cellulose food source, and warmth, mold will thrive, and the only way to stop this mold from thriving is to go through a process called mold remediation. 
Basement waterproofing is a great investment to make in any home. While it may seem like a big expense at first, you’ll see just how affordable and how smart this investment is to make in the long run. When a basement leaks or floods, the costs can get as high as $20,000 in property damage and clean-up, while basement waterproofing is only a fraction of this on average. Sure, your basement may never leak or flood during your course of living in your home, but the risk is always there, and you’re not like to know or be prepared before it happens. 
It’s important to remember that mold exists just about everywhere. Mold spores are found naturally in the air in pretty small amounts, and this makes it simple to understand how mold winds up indoors. Even if you have never had a basement leak or flood, this doesn’t mean you can’t eventually find mold growing in your space, and it helps to learn how indoor mold spreads and how to stop it. 
In truth, any winter is the best winter to waterproof, but do to the El Nino season we’re experiencing in Maryland this winter, you may find that choosing this winter is a great opportunity. El Nino winters are known to be incredibly mild in the mid-Atlantic and east coast, and with the lesser snow and higher temperatures we’re due to experience in the Maryland region this winter, you may find that you’re able to luck out by choosing this year to be the year to make the waterproofing investment in your home.