Here are some facts you need to know to protect your home from water damage:

• Unwanted water can enter your home through many paths

• The amount of unwanted water you should allow in your home is zero

• Unwanted moisture will cause damage and the damage may happen quickly or slowly

• Either way, the damaged caused by unwanted water can be financially catastrophic for the homeowner

• Unwanted moisture, by encouraging the growth of molds, can even harm the health of the people living in the home

• You can get more information about water damage and help on how to prevent water from entering your basement or crawlspace from Everdry Waterproofing of Cincinnati.

What harm can a little dampness in your basement cause?

When the moisture allows the growth of mold - a lot!

Mold spores are everywhere, including household dust. To grow and reproduce, these spores need just three things: food, air, and water.

For mold, food is any organic matter in your home: sheet rock, insulation, wood products, paper products, rubber, and carpet. You can't eliminate mold's food sources in your house. You also can't eliminate air.

There is just one ingredient needed by mold that you can control - water.

What is mold?

Mold is a fungus. Mold spores - tiny, microscopic "seeds" - are everywhere, carried by air currents.

Although you cannot keep mold spores out of your home, mold growth should not be tolerated.

Why is this?

Eventually, mold will damage whatever it grows on. And it can grow on building materials (walls, carpet) and valued personal belongings (furniture, clothes, books).

Again, the only way to prevent mold growth is to prevent moisture problems.

Mold Even Causes Health Problems

You may have heard about "sick house syndrome."

Mold can cause allergic reactions for many people. Symptoms include:

• Respiratory problems - coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties
• Nose and throat irritation
• Nasal or sinus congestion
• Watery, burning eyes
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Asthma attacks

Persons with weakened immune systems are even at risk for developing serious fungal respiratory infections.

Some studies report that mycotoxins produced by some molds can harm or kill humans if exposure is frequent and prolonged.

The Bottom Line

Unwanted moisture in your basement is a direct threat to the financial value of your home and even to the health of your family.

Whether your basement walls are made of poured concrete or concrete blocks, water can find many paths into the basement.

For each path that water can take into your basement, there is a smart solution to keep the water out.

If you own a home in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, and want to make sure your basement stays dry, you can get expert advice and a free estimate at Everdry Waterproofing of Cincinnati. They can help you with basement waterproofing, foundation waterproofing, concrete foundation repair, and concrete basement repair.