Your basement is a valuable part of your home. It can serve as a storage area, an entertainment space, or even your kids’ playtime paradise. However, there are a few dangers, such as mold and pests, that make your basement uninhabitable. These dangers affect your home’s structure, to be sure, but they can also put your family’s health at risk. Although they may seem like minor annoyances, any basement sealing company will tell you that ignoring the problem will only make things worse. Our team has addressed some basement dangers before, but in this particular blog post, we wanted to expand on these.
Mold
A dark, wet basement jumpstarts mold growth. Unfortunately, mold is responsible for a variety of health problems. Eye irritation, nasal and sinus congestion, and respiratory issues are just a few symptoms that prolonged mold exposure can bring about. Furthermore, mold can even trigger people who don’t typically experience allergy symptoms.
You may not notice any visible signs of mold, but you may notice a musty odor. Either way, you’re certain to notice yourself feeling physically worse than usual.
Insects
Cracks and gaps in your basement’s foundation allow insects and arthropods to enter your living space without much difficulty. If insects can make their way into your basement, they can easily explore the rest of your home.
These bugs can do some serious damage. However, some of them are not particularly dangerous—but they’re still nuisances. Like dust mites, they love moisture. To prevent them, you’ll need to dehumidify your basement, seal up possible entry points, and repair any leaks.
Just a few of the insects that could invade your space include:
- Brown recluse spiders – The most dangerous of the basement dwellers. Brown recluse spiders are among the most poisonous house spiders in the nation.
- Centipedes and millipedes – These bugs can bite if handled roughly.
- Cockroaches – They’re dangerous to humans because they can spread bacteria and parasites.
- Earwigs – While they’re the most harmless of the bunch, they’re especially creepy and unbecoming.
- Termites – Call an exterminator if you run across a colony of termites. Termites will eat away at your home from the inside out.
Rodents
A basement is typically dark and quiet, so it’s the ideal nesting spot for mice and rats. If you see damaged fixtures or droppings, take immediate action. Rodents carry diseases and can easily spread them. You’ll want to seal off any potential entry points.
Some of these dangers can thrive in dark or damp environments, so call your local basement sealing company to deter mold and pests before they enter your home. If you live in Chicagoland, The Real Seal is the area’s trusted choice for waterproofing services.
Dust mites
Dust mites are tiny bugs that grow and spread at rapid rates in a household. No matter how clean your house is, they’ll still inhabit it. They love high humidity environments, so you’ll need to use a reliable dehumidifier to dehydrate the dust mites. The humidity levels in your basement should never be above 60 percent. Dust mites may seem harmless, but they’re notorious for irritating asthma and allergy sufferers.
