Why DIY Basement Flooding Repair Is Not Always Effective
In Maryland, many residents can find moisture levels in the basement seem to rise in the summer. While this is often evidenced by condensation on the walls and a somewhat musty odor that could indicate mold, there may also be times when standing water on the basement floor can appear overnight. Are you thinking of implementing a DIY basement flooding repair by youreself? Read on to find out why you should leave this task to a professional. Continue reading →
Residents along the east coast, and especially along the Chesapeake waterways, have probably noticed some strange happenings in the environment. This has been particularly impactful for residents who live along the marshlands and close to the inlets, as it has meant that familiar tidal patterns have been entirely out of sorts. 
At AA Action Waterproofing, one of the many services we provide to our mid-Atlantic customers is mold remediation and removal. Mold can find its way into your home through general moisture in the air, or after a leak or flood, but with over 300,000 types of mold out there in the world, it’s typically one of the big 3 varieties that you’ll be working with in your space. To get to know the mold, or potential mold, you may be dealing with, it’s best to get acquainted with these varieties first! The top 3 most common molds found in the home are: 
No scientist or mold remediation specialist knows just how many types of mold exist on the planet, but some estimates range as high as 300,000. When it comes to the mold in your home, you could be facing a mold issue with a harmless mold that doesn’t seem to affect your health, or you could be working with toxic species of mold that present a significant impact. By having your mold tested, not only will you make clear just what type of mold you may be exposed to, but the best way to get rid of it, and the most accurate mold testing methods are those performed by professionals in mold remediation. 
Mold problems in the home come with a lot of questions, and we at AA Action Waterproofing want to address some of these concerns often brought up by our mid-Atlantic region customers. By providing answers to your mold FAQs, you can better understand just what you’re working with when you’re working with mold, and our professionals can help to make the picture a whole lot clearer. 
Stachybotrys is also known as toxic black mold, and this is the number one “baddie” in the home mold family. Commonly referred to simply as “stachy”, this is a type of mold that isn’t universally black, and it can manifest with a black or dark green appearance as well as a slimy or moist texture. This is a type of mold that can grow and thrive in your home after you’ve experienced a leak or flood, and one of the biggest reasons that all homes should consider thorough waterproofing before finding themselves with ideal mold growth conditions. 
Mold loves a warm, dark, damp place, and unfortunately this means that mold is also exceptional at hiding. While you may be able to see mold when it grows on a ceiling, wall, or carpet, it may not be so easy to spot when it decides to take up shop in a crawlspace or heating or cooling duct, and you can start experiencing mold exposure symptoms while having no idea that mold is taking over in your home. Mold will find its way into your space often after a leak or a flood, and waterproofing your home is an excellent way to put up a big roadblock against the growth and presence of mold. If you have had a leak or a flood, however, and there was moisture present at one time, there could be mold growing and thriving in your space without your knowledge. 
Whether you find mold in your home, or in a commercial building, there are quite a few things to keep in mind first. With professional mold remediation, you won’t need to worry about cleaning up the mold and making sure you’ve really tackled the problem, as this is left to the professionals in the craft, but you may want to consider a few things as you’re assessing your mold situation in order to keep your mold remediation professionals informed. 
Once you have moisture cleaned up, the next battle you’ll have to prepare to fight is one with mold. When it comes to basement molds, you don’t have a whole lot of time to prepare before the battle begins, and actions should be taken to beat the mold before it beats you within the first day or so after moisture has been cleaned. The executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing, Rebecca Morley, states that you have a 24 to 36 hour window to work with before basement mold can really manifest itself in your space and begin spreading its spores throughout your area. 
When you see mold pop up in your basement, or in any part of your home, it may be tough not to tackle the problem yourself. Mold looks unattractive and it will make you feel as if your space is unclean, but it’s important to leave these jobs up to the professionals. Depending on the type of mold you may be working with, or your particular allergies to mold, you could be walking into a dangerous situation, and to have your home tested for mold beforehand can let you know all you need to about the mold and the best methods for cleanup.