Mold Remediation in Plainfield NJ

Every homeowner believes their indoor living space is safe. When thinking of home improvement ideas, there is always an attempt to make these indoor living spaces more comfortable and welcoming. There is little concern about the indoor air quality (IAQ) yet this is one of the most important parameters in determining how safe any living space is.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that indoor air pollution is now among the top 5 environmental dangers. Among the main causes of pollution is mold and if your house has a basement or crawlspace, it is important to contract a professional mold remediation service. There are many mold removal kits in the stores, but these will never get the job done as comprehensively as when a certified mold professional does it.

Why Is Mold Remediation Important?

If you are experiencing a musty odor in your basement or you can see a brownish growth on wooden surfaces in the basement, it is time to call in a mold expert. Mold growth is not easy to notice but the effects it has on your family’s health will cost you a lot.

Mold spores travel slowly to the upper levels of the house and cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation among other health complications. These allergens can cause fatal asthmatic attacks especially among kids, hence the need to deal with mold growth sooner than later.

Dealing with Mold Growth

Mold growth mainly affects basements because of their location below the surface making them susceptible to water entry. To comprehensively deal with mold growth, an expert will first find out the extent of damage and mark out the affected area. Once this is done, they will identify the water leak and work on how to deal with it.

The problem with DIY mold removal is the fact that it deals with the surface problem and does not focus on the underlying cause of mold infestation. Professional mold remediation goes beyond removal and instead deals with the moisture problem to ensure the homeowner does not have to deal with the issue again.

After the water leak has been sealed through an appropriate waterproofing system, the affected areas are removed. The next phase involves treatment of the affected surfaces and items with eco-friendly chemicals. A mold expert has the tools and gear necessary to handle these chemicals. They also know safety precautions to take to avoid the spread of mold to other areas during the cleanup.

Once the affected areas are cleaned, restoration takes place and testing is done to confirm there is no mold presence.

Jerome Fokas

Jerome Fokas is the President of Select Basement Waterproofing, and has more than 15 years of professional basement waterproofing installation and ownership experience.

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Egress Windows

Egress windows are a requirement for the safety of a basement apartment. Building code requires that these windows be installed for emergency purposes. It is therefore common for homeowners to look at these windows as an obligation and fail to see the opportunities they present.

Egress window can not only provide a basement with more light but can also make a basement apartment a safer and healthier space in which to live.

The following are examples of strategically installed windows that make a big difference to basement apartments:

Kitchen

A kitchen is a necessary part of any apartment. It is also one of the most active areas of an apartment. Installing a window in the portion of a basement apartment that houses the kitchen can help to reduce humidity as well as smells resulting from cooking.

Kitchen windows also offer a great opportunity for kitchen gardens that can brighten up the apartment.

Bedroom

The bedroom section of a basement apartment should be calm and warm. However, adding a window can add a great deal to the appeal of the space. You get to watch the sun rise as you lie in bed especially if your window is an east-facing one.

Windows in the bedroom space can help to regulate temperatures especially in summer. They can help to keep the space cool and allow fresh air into the space, therefore promoting the health of the occupants.

Bathroom

You may think that adding a window to the bathroom of a basement apartment may be intrusive. However, a bathroom window will go a long way in not only making the bathroom a light and airy space but also in keeping moisture levels low in the apartment. Steam and moisture in the air can be vented out through the window. This ensures that the rest of the apartment remains dry and free of mold.

When choosing egress windows, it is important to consider the design and layout of the basement apartment. Consider what your windows will be adding to the space. The additional light as well as the opportunity to provide ventilation is a great motivation for the installation of windows in different parts of the apartment.

Ensure that you consult with a professional contractor from the beginning. This will help you select the right windows and identify the right places to have them installed. It will also ensure that you meet building code requirements.