To ensure the best possible foundation repair, consulting and hiring the foundation repair professional

Basement waterproofing is necessary if you wish to keep your home free of the possible dangers of molds. These fungi, unknown to some, pose serious health risks if left unattended for a long time. You see, prolonged exposure to molds may lead to some serious respiratory problems. They even produce toxic substances called mycotoxins that have led to death in a few cases. Normally, though, these toxins may cause neurological disorders. At the very least, mold growths in your home will trigger allergic reactions.

Mold remediation by a professional may be needed to make sure your place is free of molds. If present, then you need to take actions to get rid of them. Mold removal is necessary to protect your loved ones from such hazards. Basement waterproofing is just one of the important steps in keeping your home mold-free.

1. The basic idea of basement waterproofing is to stop water from getting in and settling in your basement. A damp environment is the favorite living condition of molds so you need to get rid of water. To do so, you will need to turn off the water first. Dry the leaky pipes and apply powerful sealants. If the pipes are damaged beyond repair, then you may have to replace them. Covering all the pipe joints and connections with sealant can also be done just to be sure.

2. Cracks on the walls where water may seep through are indications that you may need some foundation repair done. This is a delicate task so ask a professional to do it for you.

3. Construction-grade epoxy and other water sealants may be used to fix the big wall and floor cracks. The cracks should be cleaned out first before patching them up with sealants. Cracks on concrete cement walls and floors are repaired by filling them with mortar made of one part cement, two parts of sand and mixed with water.

4. As for small or hairline ones, you can fill them up with waterproofing mix. In both kinds of cracks, using a putty knife or a trowel makes the job of applying the sealants easier.

5. The next step in basement waterproofing is to apply or paint a waterproofing agent on the whole wall. Of course, you should have cleaned the whole basement first and got rid of all the mold growths before waterproofing the place. These annoyances also thrive on and eat paint, so you better be sure they're all gone before applying some.

6. Most mold remediation plans and assessments will also require a proper drainage system within and outside the basement. This will also prevent water that may still seep through to stay inside the basement. PVC pipes can be installed to direct water seepage and leaks to a sump pump which, in turn, will direct the water outside of the house. The purpose of external drainage, meanwhile, is to prevent water from penetrating the house, especially the basement.

A home's foundation is the bottom-most layer that provides the support for a home. Depending on the part of the country, the size of the home and when it was built, the type of foundation may vary. Concrete slab foundations are the most common; some are built to sustain crawl spaces or basements. Other foundation types are pier and beam, pile and spread foundations. Regardless of the type, all will require at some point foundation repair.

Signs of a foundation in need of repair include cracks in the walls, bricks, drywall, tile or even the foundation itself. Other signs are sticky doorjambs and windows, sloping floors, cracking or separating chimneys or fascia board. In some cases, mold may accumulate in the cracks. Whether too much or not enough, water is the main culprit in foundation repair cases. Over-saturated soil expands pushing into the home and foundation and over time loses stability, causing the foundation to again move and crack. Dry soil on the other hand contracts, pulling away from the perimeter of the home, leaving little support for the foundation, causing shifts and cracks.

When foundation problems begin to appear it is crucial to repair them as soon as possible. Early foundation repairs may prevent further problems down the road and save money on more extensive repairs. Unaddressed foundation problems may lead to damaged plumbing, buckled walls and cabinets or mantles coming apart from walls. Worse yet, broken or damaged plumbing may lead to leaks and mold.

In our age of Do It Yourself (DIY) and easy to follow instructional videos, it can be tempting to attempt foundation repairs on your own. This however, is not often a recommended course of action. There are easy preventative and maintenance steps that can be taken such as watering your foundation during dry seasons, ensuring proper drainage during wet seasons. Other best practices include keeping the south and west sides of the home shaded, but also ensuring trees and shrubs are far enough from the house to prevent roots from growing into the foundation.

True foundation repair is best left to a professional who understands the structural soundness of your home, has the most current knowledge, tools and equipment for foundation repair. Repairing your home's foundation isn't only about eliminating cracks in walls or evening sloping floors. It involves getting underneath your home, using heavy equipment and installing repairs that will last. Along with stable and staying repair work, your foundation must remain safe. Poorly repaired foundations not only lead to more foundation problems, but compromise the safety of your home and most likely won't pass inspection.

To ensure the best possible foundation repair, consulting and hiring the foundation repair professional you feel most comfortable with is essential. Interview foundation repair companies to find their area of expertise and to obtain bids. Based on your research, then ask for referrals to obtain customer insight into the company and process. Ask the companies about warranties, guarantees, how they handle unexpected findings that increase the initial bid and cost estimate. Also ask them how they propose to repair the damaged foundation and what to expect about the time of the project and any pre-project work you will need to do. Some repairs require that mantels and walls are emptied or basements cleared out.