A wet basement isn’t simply a pain; it can also cause serious health problems for humans and pets. Unfortunately, many people ignore this fact, as they assume fixing a wet basement isn’t “worth it”. Any person who has experienced health issues like the one below knows that it’s nothing to disregard.
#1: Wet basements create the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow
Mould and mildew need an environment that has a humidity of at least 60 percent. A basement that’s consistently damp (or floods regularly) will provide the ideal location for spores to feed and multiple. Once in a home, mould and mildew can affect children and adults in a wide variety of ways, including: increasing asthmatic responses to lowered indoor air quality; increasing the chance of headaches and migraines; increasing incidents of common cold and flu; and increasing allergic reactions in those with sensitivities to mould.
#2: Wet basements attract insects
Like mould, some bugs and “creepy crawlies” love moisture. A wet basement, if left untreated, will become a favorite spot for them to congregate, mate and build colonies. Many people are allergic to insects such as spiders and millipedes, and having these critters in a house is not conducive to cleanliness or wellbeing. Besides, sowbugs and pillbugs aren’t just a nuisance; they’re a detraction to anyone interested in buying a home. Thus, they could negatively affect the re-sale value of any property because it will be deemed as “infested”.
#3: Wet basements can set the stage for fires
This might seem counterintuitive, since “wet” and “fire” don’t usually go together. In this case, though, they do. A wet basement can lead to structural damage to a home. It can also lead to electrical system damage. (Plus, mice and other rodents attracted to a wet basement may decide to chew on electrical cords, which can cause sparks.) It only takes a small ember to cause a fire, and the health toll on a family could be devastating.
To avoid physical issues due to wet basement problems, it’s critical that all Canadian homeowners take the first step and call a reputable basement waterproofing company such as Toronto-based The Crack Doctor. Not only is this a pragmatic approach to an issue that could cause long-term health woes, but it’s also a smart way to protect a family’s real estate investment.
