Custom Home/Basement Mold & Mildew Solutions in Boston, Western Mass & RI, Northern CT, MA, Southern NH

BASEMENT MOLD CAN MAKE YOU VERY, VERY SICK

A Danger To Your Health

Household mold, especially in basements, is a growing problem in the developed world, especially in the United States. An increased emphasis in the last twenty years on securing residential structures against air infiltration, including airtight windows and entryways, has exacerbated the situation, and lawsuits for mold-related issues have increased significantly – at one point growing by 300% in the early 2000s¹. Many homeowners insurance policies have exclusions for mold infestation and homeowners can be at risk, not only for negative health effects, but for potential legal action upon the sale of their residence if it's determined that a mold problem existed and wasn't revealed prior to sale.

At Real Dry, we offer customized solutions to resolve mold issues and make your home a healthier environment throughout Massachusetts, western Mass., Boston, the South Shore, Cape Cod, northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire.

Mildew and Mold

Mildew is the precursor to an occurrence of mold and can develop as thin strips or small spots that are black, bluish-green, or even white in appearance. A single spore can grow to the size of a half-dollar in a few weeks – and sometimes even days, depending on the environmental conditions.

Molds produce allergens that cause allergic reactions in people, including skin rashes, red eyes, and runny noses – irritating the lungs and entire respiratory system of certain individuals.

Advanced mold infestation on basement wall.

Mold can also trigger asthma attacks and in some cases even produce potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins, which are transmitted by inhaling or ingesting them as well as through direct skin contact. Any symptoms such as the ones noted here that fade or lessen in severity once a person leaves their home are a telltale sign that mold could be a problem in the residence.

Hidden Mold & Dust Mites

Dealing with mold where you can see it is one thing, but figuring out just how much of a hidden infestation you have is much more difficult. Basement walls are a common source site for mold growth, usually initiated by cracks

Mold growth on floor joists.

in the foundation that allow water to enter from below the ground plane. And basement walls covered by drywall are a

greater risk, because they can seal in mold toxins and cause supporting stud construction to become contaminated and even structurally unsafe.

Additionally, dust mites are a common problem in American homes – especially basements. Dust is a major allergen, and waste from dust mites comprises 80% to 90% of the allergens found in common household dust. Up to 10% of the overall population – and as much as 90% of people with asthma – are sensitive to the waste generated by dust mites, and considering that as many as one thousand dust mites can live in one single gram of dust, decreasing or eliminating the mold on which these critters can flourish is essential.

The Dreaded "Stack Effect"

If you've got mold in your basement (or crawl space), it can actually be making you sick – even if you spend the majority of your time on the upper floors of your home. When warm air in a house rises, it gets replaced by the air located in the lowest part of your home: Your basement.

The moisture and accompanying mold infesting your basement or crawl space is emitted into the air occupying these lower spaces. This moisture then moves upward into your living areas via air movement known as the "stack effect". This means that you may be breathing unconditioned, mold-infested air as much as 40% of the time. Take a look at the rotating slideshow that illustrates the effect in action:

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To learn more about the solutions to any mold, mildew, or dust mite problems in your home, click here to read about the comprehensive approaches used by Real Dry Waterproofing.

Call us at 1-855-DRY-TODAY for a FREE inspection and quote for a dryness solution in MA, northern CT & RI, and southern NH.

We've been developing full-service, custom dryness solutions for 37 years. As a family-owned, locally owned and operated business, we are there for you every step of the way in providing the optimum waterproofing and moisture control solution for your highly individual needs.

1 - Source: Insurance Information Institute; www.iii.org; Other data: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Serving Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, Rhode Island & southern New Hampshire

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