Moisture

• A recent survey* of 33,000 new home owners revealed that 44% had leaky, wet basements

• Most common problem home inspectors find in homes less than 12 years old is basement leaks**
  

Moisture enters a basement in three main ways:

Mold

• Mold relies on four elements in order to grow: moisture, a food source, oxygen, and a dark environment.

• Mold prevention relies on removing one or more of the above elements.

• Special attention should be given to potentially moisture-collecting areas that also have materials that are good “mold food”, such as wood, and wood products, paper, paper-covered gypsum board, cardboard, particle board, OSB, and fiberboard.

• Molds flourish especially well in hidden spaces.  (Within exterior walls)

• Reduce the presence of moisture, reduce the potential for mold!