Most Common Areas for Indoor Mold Growth In Your New Jersey Home

2. Basement Mold Problems

Basements are notoriously damp and have poor air circulation, not to mention they present a high risk of water seepage through your foundation walls. Consistent moisture issues have put basements right up there with attics as some of the most common areas for indoor mold growth. Without effective moisture control, you could be at risk of basement mold growth in your NJ home. Once mold takes hold in your basement, it can spread quickly due to conducive conditions.

• Poor air circulation- Most New Jersey basement have very minimal air exchange. Because of this NJ basement are often especially susceptible to moisture buildup over time if a homeowner is not careful and do not address water presence immediately.
• Leaking or seeping through foundation walls- Or other water intrusion through your foundation walls due to foundation damage. Often times, basement foundation walls are underground and prone to seepage or leakage moisture through tiny pores and cracks. Most NJ basements are constructed of cinder block, poured concrete or rubble walls, and unless they’ve been properly waterproofed – they will eventually leak. When your foundation wall is leaking, ground water under pressure from the soil outside (hydrostatic pressure) is being pushed through your foundation walls.
• Flooding- Some South Jersey properties can be especially vulnerable to flooding. If your property is frequently and easily flooded, water can seep through tiny cracks in the foundation, or intrude your basement’s doorway/window. Trapped moisture then evaporates, which elevates humidity, and provides a perfect place for mold to invade.
• Humidity- Again, once water in the basement evaporates it raises the humidity level in the basement. The humidity then usually stays high thanks to lack of air circulation and no sunlight. When the relative humidity of your basement exceeds 50%, your basement can be at risk for mold growth.

Regularly assess your NJ basement for signs of moisture. If you detect a basement moisture problem early one and properly address it right away, you can prevent mold development and avoid costlier repairs. It is important to conduct regular foundation maintenance checks to make sure that your foundation walls are in good condition. Homeowners should try to address foundation problems right way before they get worse. If you detect signs of moisture and possible mold, contact a basement mold remediation company in New Jersey for an assessment.

3. Crawl Space Mold Problems

Crawl spaces can be especially vulnerable to moisture buildup from events like elevated humidity, seepage and/or water intrusion. If you are not careful, you could be inviting crawl space mold into your New Jersey home.

• Water vapors- If your NJ home is built on a dirt or sand floor crawl space, you might need a crawl space vapor barrier. Dirt or sand naturally hold onto water. The moisture from your dirt or sand floor crawl space will normally evaporate into the atmosphere, these water vapors will rise with normal air currents in you crawl space, and eventually wind up clinging to your wood floor joists, sub-flooring and insulation.

• Flooding- In areas where the water table is high and weather conditions are suitable, ground water can penetrate a crawl space can cause flooding.
• Water Intrusion- Foundation walls should be well-maintained and properly waterproofed to prevent water intrusion through your crawl space walls. If your foundation walls are compromised in anyway, water can slowly seep into your crawl space and collect, leaving your New Jersey home vulnerable to crawl space mold growth.
• Humidity- Like your basement or attic, your crawl space can be especially susceptible to high humidity. Between the moisture emitting from your ground soil, improper ventilation and a variety of other factors, it can be very difficult to maintain a health relative humidity level of 50% or less.

When it comes to your New Jersey crawl space and mold problems, it is important to keep in mind that air travels bottom-up. So, any moisture formed in crawl spaces will be carried by the moist air upwards to your living spaces naturally (or mechanically through the HVAC system), which can lead to mold growth beyond just the crawl space. If you suspect possible mold growth in your crawl space, contact a crawl space mold remediation company in New Jersey to properly assess the space and recommend an effective cleanup solution.

While mold development can occur anywhere in your New Jersey home as long as there is an adequate moisture source present, spaces like your attic, basement and crawl space are some of the most common areas for indoor mold problems due to the conditions typically found in these spaces. To learn more about attic mold removal, basement mold removal or crawl space mold removal in your South Jersey area, contact Mastertech Environmental.