Many of us don’t know why urban drainage problems cause mold in homes, but today I am here to educate you on that and then give you tips to help you.
Have you ever walked into your house and smelled something wet or earthy in the house? Or maybe you’ve noticed black stains on your wall that won’t go away no matter how many times you wash them? This is mold, and in most cases, the source of it is beyond your home.
Poor urban drainage is one of the biggest underlying causes of mold in homes today. Rainwater and dirty water can accumulate around the house when the drainage systems in your area or city have broken down. Water can get into that environment, and the environment allows mold to grow.
We’ll talk about how urban drainage issues can cause mold, how to identify the signs of mold, and what you can do to prevent the problem of mold formation and safeguard your health.
If you are affected in any way, then you have to be excited right now because there are solutions available, and by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what to do.
First, we need to know what urban drainage is.
What Is Urban Drainage?
This is about the methods used to remove wastewater or rainwater from urban areas. The process involves building underground pipes, drains, and gutters to help pass rainwater. When this is done it will keep homes safe and the roads dry.
But water doesn’t disappear when the system fails. It starts to accumulate in unwanted places like around your house.
And that’s where the problem begins.
Why Urban Drainage Problems Cause Mold in Homes
The drains either get clogged or broken, and the water can run around the buildings, which can cause so many problems to the building and its occupants.
This stagnant water can get to the foundation it increasing its weakness, and it may make the base float with wet areas and areas where floods may result whenever the water level rises.
This is also an invitation to mosquitoes and insects in the stagnant water, thereby exposing people to diseases.
It will also create foul smells and destroy the grass or plants around it. To avoid these grave consequences the maintenance, repair and inspections of the drainage system should be done as soon as possible.
This is common in cities with:
- Old drainage pipes
- Poorly planned streets
- Overflowing gutters
- Improper sloping of land
The water has nowhere to go. So it finds its way into your home.
It may seep through:
- Basement walls
- Cracks in floors
- Window frames
- Door gaps etc.
How Water Causes Mold
Mold grows in a damp climate, and it grows fast in areas where water has been used. When water is left to stand on any surface for more than 24 to 48 hours, the condition is a perfect breeding ground for mold to grow. As soon as mold starts to grow, it can spread fast to affect wall materials, floors, furniture and even health of certain people causing allergic reactions, difficulty in breathing etc.
This is how it happens:
- Water seeps in through drainage issues
- Area becomes damp or flooded
- Poor air circulation
- Area stays wet
- Mold starts to grow on walls, carpets, ceilings and more
This can happen in the basement, bathroom, kitchen or even bedroom.
Signs You Have Mold from Drainage Problems
You might not see mold at first. But here are signs to look out for:
- Earthy or musty smell within your house
- You start observing stains on walls or ceilings
- Your carpets or floors start becoming wet
- Painting bubbles or peeling paint
- Leaks or cracks in your basement
- Damp cold walls
When you see any of them, mold has probably already grown behind your walls.
Common Places Where Mold Grows Due to Poor Drainage
Mold will grow anywhere there is moisture. But here are usual places where there is poor drainage:
1. Basements
Basements are below ground level and therefore, prone to water infiltration when drainage systems fail. Water can collect at the foundation and seep into the basement making the basement wet. This moisture is a mold breeding ground that can cause structural damage and health problems if not addressed in time.
2. Crawl Spaces
Be careful when your house has crawl space. These are ideal areas of fungal growth since they are humid, dim and have bad ventilation. Crawl spaces are where moisture accumulates easily which can move into the interior air and other parts of the house.
3. Kitchens and bathrooms
Drainage backups can make water get into the plumbing system of your home through leaks. This pressure can cause water to seep through openings such as your kitchen or your bathroom. Unless it is addressed immediately, it may result to water damage to decorations, walls and floors and mold and odors.
4. Inside Walls
Once it enters through foundation or wall cracks, water can enter and find its way into different porous materials such as drywall. This hidden moisture provides ideal conditions for mold to grow within the walls. The mold is invisible and can grow without being detected until serious damages and health risks are incurred.
Remember, mold can cause:
- Breathing problems
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Coughing
- Eye irritation
What causes Urban Drainage problems?
City drainage can fail because of many reasons:
Clogged gutters and storm drains: Gutters are clogged with leaves, trash and dirt, thus blocking the way of water flow
- Flat terrain: Water doesn’t run down hill but stays motionless
- Ruptured systems or pipes: Pipes are old, rusty and can leak or break “”
- Heavy rainfall: too much rain in a short span of time flooding the system
- Unplanned construction: Newly built buildings can block the course of water
And unfortunately, your house will pay the price.
How to Prevent Mold Due to Urban Drainage Problems?
Prevention is better than cure. Here are the easy steps:
1. Clean out your Gutters
To avoid water around your home, make sure your drains and gutters are clear. Debris, dirt and leaves can clog the flow of water and cause overflow and destruction. Clean them out every few weeks especially during rainy season.
2. Inspect the foundation of Your House
Inspect the exterior of your house regularly and look through any holes or cracks of the house especially the one around the walls, windows and the foundation. Even the smallest spaces can let water in. Seal such areas with waterproof agents like caulk or sealing agent to prevent leakages and subsequent mould growth and structural damages.
3. Better external drainage
You don’t want water to build up around your home, so avoid building the ground towards the foundation. Proper grading can run off the rainwater. In the meantime, think of installing a French drain, a ditch filled with gravel and a pipe that channels the excess waters to an open area and out of your basement in the house.
4. Buy a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is handy when your home is congested or humid. It eliminates humidity in the air thereby reducing the opportunities of growth of moulds and mildews. A dehumidifier is important in maintaining moisture level in your house, this is to guard your walls, furniture and health damages caused by moisture.
5. Monitor the Weather
Since there is always going to be more mold during the rainny season, please you have to be observing the weather especially and paying attention to weather reports. Why do you have to do this? You are doing this to prevent rainwater damages.
Your drains, gutter, and downspours should be clean so that mold wont have an upper hand once the rain start. This would assist in movement of water and avoid cases of flooding around your house.
What to do if you already have Mold?
Don’t ignore mould in your house just because you can’t smell it or you haven’t seen mould. It’s not just on the surface, Mould can form behind the walls, under the carpets and in the air-vents too. Trying to clean on your own may worsen it since it will disperse more spores in the air.Just call a professional mold remediation company that has the right equipment and expertise to handle the problem safely and thoroughly.
They can:
- Find all the mould (even the hidden ones)
- Use safe tools and products to clean it
- Prevent it from coming back
- Dry and seal your home
This is for your family and your home.
Call a Mold Remediation Professional Today
Never try to manage mold yourself. Small patches if not treated grow fast and have big consequences.
Without the right equipment, techniques and gear the mold won’t be removed at all. Before you clean up, it’s safer to leave it to the experts.
Call a trusted mold removal company now.
They will:
- Inspect your home
- Find the source of the mold
- Remove all mold safely
- Give you tips to prevent it from coming back
You deserve a dry, safe and healthy home. So does your family.
Helpful Guide: How Older Building Age Affects Toxic Black Mold Testing Strategies
Conclusion
Mold is more than just a stain on the wall; whenever you see it, it’s a sign of something big going on. Poor drainage as we now know can let water get into your home and mold can grow. The longer you wait the worse the problem gets.
You have the right to a clean, safe and mold free home. Don’t try to handle it yourself if you see visible mold, musty odors or signs of water damage.
Call a mold removal company now..
