Water leaking into your basement is already a problem because of the damage it does to your home’s structure and on your possessions. But the difficulties don’t stop there. You’ll also face the health hazards of a wet basement that come with the organisms that may take up residence in the moist environment. These are a few of the unwanted guests you may encounter.
Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that can start to grow on just about any surface, such as the walls, floor, and ceiling in your basement, when it is sufficiently damp. You can identify it by the fuzzy spots that it creates, which can come in various colors. It commonly appears in black, brown, green, or blue. More than just looking gross, the small spores and particles it gives off fly into the air and can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat. Some people may experience allergic reactions and respiratory infections when they breathe it in as well.
Bacteria
Similar to mold, bacteria can inflame the eyes, nose, and throat and cause allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, bacteria are more difficult to identify because they are microscopic and proliferate surreptitiously under moist conditions with no visible markers. In major flooding events, bacteria from the unsanitary streets and overflowing drain system outside can come into the basement with the water. This can make your basement unsafe to enter, since the bacteria can cause infections or sickness if you come into contact with them.
Larger Pests
This category encompasses animals that are large enough to be seen scuttling around. Insects and vermin such as cockroaches and rats thrive in wet, dark spaces. When left unchecked, they may infest a basement, dirtying it and leaving droppings that spread bacteria and trigger allergies. Furthermore, they can start to infiltrate the rest of your home, weaken the home’s structure as they eat away at it, and get into your food.
You don’t want any of these problematic organisms getting into your basement, so you should take the time now to fortify its defenses. That way, it will remain clean and dry no matter what the weather outside is like. The Real Seal provides skillful basement waterproofing in the Chicago area, so give us a call today.
