While a well-waterproofed and well-drained basement is a great place to create quality relaxation space for families, the converse is unfortunately more often true. Many Toronto homes sit on top of basements that have become nothing more than a  home for mold and water. This obviously can have an adverse effect on your home’s market value as well as a decreased quality of home enjoyment for you.

Although waterproofing is an integral part of any wet basement solution, the key also lies in draining rainwater away before it filters down. Beware of thinking that all that’s needed is a roll of water-resistant membrane though. You have to control the flow of water down the roof and eaves, and through the gutters and downpipes too.  Water will flow and navigate to the path of least resistance, which often times is in and around your foundation.

clogged rain gutters in toronto

Beginning at the Top

When it comes to waterproofing you begin on the top of the roof where the surface water comes from. Few homeowners can imagine a thousand gallons an hour (close to four thousand litres) cascading down it in a heavy rainstorm.

To prevent this becoming ground water that converts to a wet basement, you have to have an adequate guttering system below your eaves to lead it far away from the foundations below. Hydrostatic power is a force that’s been known to crack waterproofing defenses – and even foundations if they’re poorly constructed.

Inspect your roof drainage system regularly and keep it clear of all obstructions. If you find water pooling within six feet of your house, then it’s vital you re-slope the ground to guide it away.

Getting Down to Business

Under normal circumstances rainwater saturates the upper ground layers and washes away into rivers or down streets. Unfortunately builders often scupper this by backfilling around basements with rubble. This acts like a gigantic sieve that allows hundreds of gallons to flow down to the bottom of the excavation, were it collects almost like a dam.

This sucks the earth on top into the airspace in the rubble, creating a natural hollow that attracts even more water. There is only one solution. You must re-gradient the garden near your house and install concrete drains to lead the water away safely. If you don’t, you’ll likely have a very hard time getting rid of your basement water issues.

installing exterior weeping tile in Toronto home

The Foundation of the Matter

These preliminary steps are a great start but hardly the end of the matter. No matter how hard you try there will always be ground water, and this is the hardest to crack because you can’t prevent it. Good builders install drainage systems at the level of basement foundations, cast concrete floors over membranes and securely waterproof the walls themselves.

Some don’t bother, or do a quick-fix job that will last a few years, long after the builder has been paid. Five, maybe ten years later the inevitable happens. The new owner goes downstairs to find their basement flooded and can’t figure out why this has suddenly happened.

Back to Basics

Most of these fixes aren’t cheap fixes. There’s only one way to fix a wet basement, and that’s by digging out the backfill and installing a decent footing drain. This collects the water as it filters down from above, and leads it away to a sump pump or daylight according to circumstances. After that, it’s a relatively simple matter of waterproofing the outside walls with membranes, and backfilling with less permeable material.

 

 

walkout basement under construction in TorontoMany older homes in The Bay Area have damp basements with low ceilings, uneven floors and moldy walls that are little more than cellars. Their owners often only go there to check their boilers, or store something they’ll never use again. That’s a great pity, because they never know the potential that they wasted as they closed the door behind them.

These days, home renovation specialists use modern building methods to dig out cellar floors and convert dead space into living space, with good headroom at a fraction of the cost of attic conversions. The common method is known as underpinning, or basement lowering.  They use technology to preserve the home above from any risk of damage as they go about their work. When their job is complete, they have added considerable value to their client’s home at a fraction of the cost.

Five Reasons to Do a Basement Conversion

  • Create More Living Space – There’s hardly a home that wouldn’t benefit from an extra room. Teenagers suddenly need their privacy. Mom or dad decide to work from home. The family is growing up and needs an informal place to meet, or at least a place where the kids can play without driving anyone crazy. There’s no end of reasons. It just costs too much to move.
  • Add Value to Your Investment – There’s no doubt that a home is still one of your safest investments, notwithstanding the fact that the real estate market’s taken a knock lately here in Toronto, but it always rebounds with a bang. It’s important not to over-capitalize. Digging out a basement costs significantly less than attic conversions and home extensions. This means greater profit when you sell someday.
  • Create a Healthier Environment – Neglected basements accumulate dirt, damp and mold. Nobody in their right mind would leave the spare-room looking like that upstairs. If they did, they would be at risk of respiratory infections. The same applies when there’s mold and decay on the far side of the door leading to the basement.
  • Benefit from Extra Income – As time passes, kids leave home, and retirement age is reached, many Canadian’s suffer income contraction as they enter a new phase. There are always clean and decent youngsters looking to establish their first base. This brings income that makes holidays affordable again. While there are hoops to jump through in order to have a legal basement apartment in The Bay Area, it can be done.
  • Achieve the Impossible Dream – Many of us have “secret hobbies” that we enjoyed when we were younger. These could include dressmaking, building model cars and boats or even something more artistic. A lack of dedicated space often holds us back from rediscovering them. Dig out the cellar, and you’re on your way to doing what you love….or even replacing your day job one day!

Basement movie theatre in Toronto home

A Word of Caution

A cellar or basement with low head height still bears the full weight of the home above it. This is definitely not something to be done by amateurs as you can see from the news lately here in The Bay Area.  I the hands of professionals, it’s a safe and painless process.

There’s good reason to hire a home addition expert in The Bay Area who also understands the importance of effective ground-water management. They can ensure that there’s no structural danger at any time, and that the living space above is unaffected while the job is on

Leaves fill and block gutter in Toronto homeDid you know that a faulty eavestroughs system can create a leaky basement?

In a perfect world, water would flow smoothly off roofs into gently sloping gutters (or eavestroughs as us Canadians sometimes call them). From there, it would pass down pipes into drains, or runoffs that lead it safely away. Direct beneath the gutters lie the outside walls of cellars. If the system fails, most of what the roof sheds could permeate down and flood your basement.

Root Causes of the Problem

Basement waterproofing is expensive, especially when retrofitted after the fact. It’s far better to attend to contributory problems than to try to stem the consequences. The following are the main things to look out for. If the problem persists, then you may need specialist advice.

WARNING – Do not attempt to scale a ladder or climb a roof without assistance. It’s a long way to the ground, and you might invalidate your insurance.

Blocked Gutters – The biggest single problem with gutters is that you can’t look into them directly, without going up a ladder or climbing onto a roof. Moss can build up quicker than you think, as may leaves and windblown dirt. A rubber ball can speed the process up. In winter, an ice dam can rapidly block them. In no time at all, your gutter could start looking like a garden. When this happens, it’s time to call assistance in.

Broken Gutters – Gutters don’t last forever. A bracket can snap off in a storm causing them to sag or crack. Older iron or plastic ones can rust through or decay. When this happens, they do the opposite of what’s intended. They soak the foundations of your home and flood the basement. If this happens, then you need new gutters.

Downpipes – These are your next port of call, as they can easily become blocked by debris flowing through the eavestroughs.  This is especially likely at the angled points at top and bottom. In this case, you can often clear them with a hosepipe. If not, then you need to have then removed, cleared and replaced.

Runoffs – After you’ve attended to all these issues you should have rainwater flowing through the downpipes every time it rains. Aiming this at a single point on the ground erodes foundations and is about the worst thing any basement wants. The solution is simple. Order in some concrete runoffs, and lead the rainwater safely far away.

broken run off extension for gutter in Scarborogh home

 

If This Doesn’t Work

You probably clicked on the link to this article because you have a leaky basement, and were wondering whether your eavestroughs were to blame. If they were, then the above advice should get you well on the way to solving it.  As you can see, with a few fixes and some regular maintenance  you can keep runoff rain water away from your home, and out of your basement.

If the root of your leaky basement isn’t your eavestroughs, then your problem could be more deep-seated. Uncontrolled underground water can play havoc with the structure of your home and basement.If you have any questions about water entering your basement, feel free to contact us, we’re happy to answer any questions.

Ice damming on Toronto roofDo you have a giant sheet of ice on your roof waiting to wreck havoc on your home?  The last few Winters here in Toronto have been a mix of warm days and freezing days, the perfect storm for ice dam formation.  Ice dams can not only damage the outside of your house, they do a lot of damage inside as well.

When snow falls on rocks and trees it comes in contact with something perhaps even a little colder and does not melt. It builds up until a combination of gravity and weight causes it to slip loose, and fall harmlessly to the ground. If on the other hand it falls on something warmer then it melts, and either dams (freezes again before it drips off) or runs off as water depending on the gradient.

How Do Ice Dams Form?

Here in Toronto, we go to great expense to warm their homes in Winter and that’s perfectly understandable. Unfortunately heat rises and despite best efforts at ceiling insulation some heat is inevitably transferred to the attic. This can be a result of inadequate insulation, or gaps caused by pipes and trapdoors. With the best will in the world, nature will always have a way, meaning that your attic will inevitably be a little warmer than the winter air outside.

This temperature difference causes the snow to gradually melt and travel down the roof. When it reaches the eaves that are at ambient temperature it freezes again, and gradually forms into a ridge. Above, the snow keeps on melting and adding to the pile of ice. As this grows in size the melt water becomes a dam pooling on the roof. Ice dams are a roofer’s worst nightmare come true.

This is because roof coverings work on the assumption that water will run off before it has time to seek out crevices and work it’s way under the shingles. This problem is surprisingly common on most roof surfaces except corrugated sheet metal. It’s worst of all on flat roofs and shingles.

Ice dam on home in Scarborough

Referred Problems

Ice damming on roofs inevitably finds its way into the roof space below. There, it drips quietly onto insulation and accumulates on ceilings. If the leak is serious this can lead to minor flooding and damage to ceilings, carpets and upholstery. If the problem is minor then the attic becomes dank and starts smelling of mold.

The mold spores find their way past cracks through which the heat transfer happens. As they do so, they find themselves in an almost perfect habitat where they can procreate to their hearts content.

Tackling to Root Cause of Ice Dams

Ice dams exist because of differences between ambient and attic temperatures. Your wisest first point of call is to inspect your attic insulation because it’s pointless generating heat to melt the snow above and cause these problems. You may require expert advice because the problem’s probably lurking in an almost inaccessible place.

Your second line of defense is to improve ventilation through your roof so you constantly exchange the warmer air for cold. Point being, keep the attic as cold as the air outside. This can be effective in the case of steep roofs with gable ends. If you have a badly pitched roof covered with tiles or shingles you could be up for expensive alterations.

Have questions about ventilation and air quality inside your home?  We’re happy to answer and questions, you can contact us here.

mold growing on bathroom tiles in TorontoIs your bathroom getting moldy?

Mold is a microscopic fungus that grows naturally on decaying vegetation under humid conditions. It propagates itself by releasing spores (approximately the same as seeds) into the immediate atmosphere, where they drift along until they settle in a humid place.  A bathroom is the perfect environment for mold to grow.  You have humid conditions (hot showers) and a lack of ventilation (small windows and an exhaust fan you never use).

How to Tell If You’ve got Mold

At first sight, new mold looks like a dirty stain that someone’s spilled. It could be in designer colors of pink, brown or black.  Mold comes in all forms and colors.  It will gradually spread and start leaving a musty sour odor on your clothes and furniture, and in your cupboards too.

Discouraging Mold

The general trick is to prevent your bathroom from seeming like a tropical forest full of things that mold just loves. Here’s how to go about it:

Get Rid of Clutter – The first victims are going to be your precious pot plants because having them in your bathroom is as good as hanging out a welcome sign for mold. Your next step is to get rid of all your unnecessary bric-a-brac unless you really have to have some. Finally put out the towels to dry somewhere else, before they start smelling musty too.

Create Less Humidity – Hot baths and showers are debilitating and unhealthy. What’s the point of washing yourself when you’re already sweating before you’ve finished. Try taking cooler baths and showers. You’ll be amazed at how cleaner and more refreshed you feel afterwards.  If you can’t live without a hot shower, be sure to properly ventilate the bathroom after so that the humid air doesn’t sit there.

Improve Air Circulation – Mold loathes fresh air. Install a suitably-sized extraction fan to ventilate the shower, and make sure the windows are open when you bathe. If you don’t, then the humidity’s going to settle everywhere, including in inaccessible areas where you can’t see it developing.  If you have a bathroom without windows, then you most likely have an exhaust fan.  People hate to use these for some reason, it uses very little electricity and can save you the headache of a moldy bathroom if you use it regularly.

Dry Off Wet Surfaces Afterwards – Mold only grows in grout because we let damp linger there. You’ll soon spot where you’re not drying properly, because that’s where the mold will start. Your bathroom will look bright again, and you’ll have less cleaning to do.

Turn on The Lights – Now you have your sparkling bathroom back, you’ll want to leave the lights on so you can admire it regularly. The good news is that you’ll be inhibiting mold as you do so, because the fungus detests bright illumination.

Mold growing behind bathroom wall in Toronto home

Getting Rid of Mold

It’s pointless trying to wipe mold away because the individual fungi are so small that you can’t see them. Besides, you’re helping spores to propagate. To get rid of mold you have to kill it. You could use a proprietary mold cleaner. However you’ll get similar results with a 50:50 chlorine bleach solution and an atomizer. If you follow up with a weekly dose of sprayed neat vinegar, it most likely won’t come back again.  If you suspect mold starting to grow in inaccessible areas, such as behind the walls, then you may want to consider calling in a mold removal specialist as mold tends to grow if left untreated.

Underpinning job in Toronto homeIn theory, houses are built on solid foundations that are strong enough to bear their full weight and more. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Foundations may subside and even disintegrate for structural reasons. They can also be affected by flooding, shifting earth and heaving clay.

When this happens there are two solutions. Either you have to reinforce the faulty foundations by adding bulk beneath them, or you have to demolish the house and start again. The former, which builders call underpinning (or basement lowering), is obviously the preferred alternative. While the practice of Underpinning is used to repair a faulty foundation, it’s sometimes  done for other reasons.

Increasing Basement Height

Some basements are little more than crawl-space cellars, having been built for the sole purpose of raising the ground floor level of the house. This could be to achieve a view, level the main structure across a slope, or create a defense against flooding.

Excavating a cellar without first adding support can be a recipe for disaster. You could remove foundation lateral support and cause it to start sliding into the excavation with inevitable results. The only way to avoid this happening is to create more bulk beneath the existing foundation as you dig down. For practical reasons this is done in sections.

Other Reasons to Underpin Foundations

Warning signs are cracks appearing in walls, especially in relatively weak places like corners. You might also notice:

  • A slight tilt to the house
  • Floors moving out of level
  • Cracks in wall and floor tiles
  • Windows and doors that are hard to close
  • Gaps around doors and windows
  • An opening between the roofline and the upper walls

The first step involves digging trenches to establish whether the root cause is foundation failure, or inadequate structures built on top of it It’s also essential to determine what compromised the structure in the first place.

The Underpinning Process

The purpose of an underpinning job determines the extent of its scope. If you are excavating out a basement to increase head height, then the entire foundation needs to be progressively underpinned in sequence. However if you’re repairing a cracked, eroded or subsided foundation you may only need to reinforce the relevant part.

In either instance it’s important to dig down to at least the point where moisture levels are consistent, and to install jacks until the new concrete has dried fully. You can check ground moisture with a meter obtainable from a garden store, as you don’t require a high degree of accuracy.  Bear in mind that this involves the work of a structural engineer and construction experts experienced with basement underpinning.

Repairs to Brickwork

After you have repaired a damaged foundation you would remove and repoint loosened mortar between the bricks above. This is not only for cosmetic reasons. You will also be adding a modicum of strength to the wall itself.

The Value of a Specialist

This is not an easy job (as you can see). The work is dirty, arduous and time-consuming. The time and costs involved are also something to consider.  If you’ll be in your home for the long haul, and would like full living use of your basement, it may be worth looking into adding another level of living space to your home.

 

Exterior waterproofing Toronto

Exterior or Interior waterproofing for your basement.  Which one do you choose?

There are two schools of thought about keeping water out of a basement. One viewpoint believes in stopping it at source. The other lets in it and manages it away. To me it’s a simple matter.  Your first choice is to always fix it from the exterior.  If that’s not possible due various reasons (other homes will be affected, inaccessible area, etc), then an interior waterproofing solution will need to be implemented.

Waterproofing Defined

The dictionary states that “waterproofing” is the act of making something impervious to water. Backpackers waterproof their packs and tents so water can’t get through them. Admitting water into basements and managing it away is the opposite of waterproofing. It’s more of basement water management.

Waterproofing Basements

Waterproofing basements is about denying water access. Anything less is called something else. The process involves:

1  Putting catchment drains on the exterior of the basement at floor level to lead water filtering down away.

 

2  Treating the outside of the walls with a waterproofing compound or membrane

 

3  Backfilling the space outside the basement with quality soil, not builder’s rubble

 

4  Hard-surfacing the result and making sure water can’t pool on it.

This approach applies probability theory to the waterproofing paradigm. For example let’s say the likelihood of water pooling is 5% and that of the waterproofing 1%. The probability of both happening is .05% which is marginal.This belts and braces approach is used all the time.

What Doesn’t Work

The process I just described is specialized. It comes at a cost because digging out and fixing leaking basements properly does take time and is definitely an investment. Some folks prefer to try to skirt the issue by getting an interior waterproofer.  Some companies that claim that all of your basement water problems can be solved from the interior is just flat out wrong.  Applying some sealant on your basement wall won’t do much when water (under pressure) is pushing through cracks and seals in your wall.  You may be able to manage the flow of water once it’s inside the basement, but that’s not waterproofing, it’s water management.  It’s hard to have a dry, finished basement when you have a stream running inside it.

For Small Leaks 

For very minor leaks and cracks, sometimes an interior solution will work, especially if the exterior fix is not an option.  Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t.  The important thing to know is that the water trying to make it’s way into your basement is under hydrostatic pressure, and is constantly trying to push it’s way through any crack or pore it can get into.

Another Option

If you’ve been through all that and don’t have enough money left over to waterproof your basement properly, then you could try installing weeping tiles and a sump with a pump. In simple terms this involves chopping out a perimeter drain in the basement floor, and using this to lead the water to a deeper point called a sump.

After that you install a submersible pump to remove the water to someplace outside. This is fine if you use your basement as an unfinished space you don’t plan on using for living purposes. But do you really want this in your living space as you’re missing out on a big part of your home that could be a great source of family fun.

Have questions about water problems in your basement?  Contact us here, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

 

leaking basement where foundation meets first floorWinter in Toronto is cold and wet.  The thawing periods in between the freezing weather is where many basement starts to show signs of leaks. AS accumulated snow and ice start to melt, it makes it’s way into the earth, leading to basement leaks. Of course,  It can come from a number of areas, including sources inside your home.  Each problem has it’s own potential solution,

Almost every basement leaks from time to time, especially if it’s never been properly waterproofed from the exterior. It’s a natural phenomenon because building materials are porous unless treated properly, and structural cracks develop as the ground settles over time. This leaves important clues for anybody who knows what they are about. You just need to think logically about what causes dampness, and which of the following apply to you:

1- If your basement ceiling is moist then the water is likely coming from a drain or water pipe above, that could have sprung a leak. Alternatively, your problem could be the consequence of warmer air condensing on cooler pipes and dripping down. These are simple problems the average home handyman can probably fix themselves.

2- Surface water is a common cause of signs of damp on upper basement walls. It’s often caused by rain and flooding. If you allow water to pool on the surface, then the earth will absorb it because that’s what soil does. Where else do you think tree roots get their water from? It’s easy to figure out you need to lead storm water away from the walls of your house, especially near your basement location.

 

If the surface slopes towards your home then you need to re-grade it to a fall of one inch to one foot away from it. It will help greatly if you pave the immediate area too. This should deal effectively with damp showing in the upper parts of your basement walls. Don’t forget to clean out your window wells at the same time too.

 

  1. Ground water is usually the driver behind damp on lower basement walls and floors. This is moisture that travels through natural earth strata from elsewhere to your home. If your house is standing on a rise you shouldn’t have it. If it’s in a hollow then it’s inevitably there in winter. This is what causes damp on lower walls, and seepage through the joint between the walls and floor.

This is a tougher nut to crack, especially because problems behind walls and under floors that are hard to get to. If the leakage is radical you might have to excavate from outside and install the drainage systems builders call french drains and weeping tiles. If it’s minor, then a sump pump system might suffice.

It’s simpler when you understand the basics. However many of the cases we’ve dealt with had multiple causes that overlap. The best course of action is to look for the simple solutions and work your way back. If problems persist you’ll most likely want to call in a basement waterproofing company to conduct a full assessment of your water problems.

 

Sump pump installed in Toronto homeIt’s a homeowner’s nightmare, you come home after a relaxing vacation to find out that your sump pump quit on you, leaving you with a lovely welcome home present, a wet basement.

Unless a basement is professionally constructed with external french drains and thorough waterproofing, it’s bound to leak to an extent. This problem is especially prevalent in older homes where poorly-compacted earth may gradually subside. While quality sump pumps may seem to purr on endlessly, the time does eventually come when water starts pooling on the basement floor again.

When this happens the problem may not lie with the pump itself, because it is part of a system and the cause of the stoppage may lie elsewhere. It’s absolutely vital to remember that electricity and water do not mix. Make sure the power is turned off and the pump disconnected before you start. Never touch an electrical appliance with both hands if you have the slightest doubt.

Electrical Checks

Power supply is the logical place to start. However this is also the area where the greatest caution is required. If the sump pump is hard-wired to the mains distribution board you need to ask an electrician to perform tests. They will be able to confirm the integrity of the connection, or whether there is an electrical problem with the pump itself.

If your sump pump is of the plug-in variety (not generally recommended) then you can substitute another appliance that you know is working, and easily confirm whether there’s power to the pump or not. If it turns out that there are power supply problems or the pump is electrically faulty, then this is a job that needs the attention of a professional. If not, then here are a few other things that you could attempt.

Mechanical Integrity

Fill the sump with clean water and turn on the power. Does the pump start and run smoothly? If not, there are several lines of thought to follow:

  • If the pump doesn’t start then there may be a problem with the float valve. Lift it gently using a wood or plastic rod. If this causes the pump to start then the float valve is either stuck or dirty. Remember to turn off the power before you investigate.

 

  • If the pump is noisy or runs unevenly then you may be faced with a broken impeller or worn bearings. This is a job for someone with technical experience. It may be cheaper and quicker to install a new sump pump.

 

  • If the pump runs smoothly but the water level is unaffected then water is not passing through it to the drains. Locate the one-way valve a little thicker than the pipe on the delivery side. Disconnect the valve on the pump side. Loosely cover the exposed pipe end with a damp cloth and run the pump for just a second.

 

  • If the pump delivers water smoothly then your one-way valve is faulty and should be replaced. If not, then there is a stoppage in the pump itself. This could be a blocked filter which you should be able to clear easily. If not, then you’ve spent enough time on this one. Buy a new pump for the electrician to install. The old one belongs with the garbage!

Don’t always blame your handy little sump pump when water pools on your basement floor. There could be any one of a number of other things behind the problem. We recommend you test your sump pump from time to time during the dry season, and you have the time to repair and troubleshoot. The last thing you need on a cold and rainy Toronto day is a flooded basement.

 

 

Do you have a wet basement in your Toronto home?  If you do, you most likely have mold growing somewhere down there.

To prevent mold from taking over in your basement and potentially affecting your family’s respiratory health, you need to do two sets of things. The first five of these involve keeping dampness out of the basement in the first place. The second are about maintaining the right environment down there.

Five Ways to Keep Damp Out

  • Make sure the rain water can’t filter through the ground by managing run-off comprehensively. Slope the ground away, lead downpipe discharges through culverts, put down paving. These inexpensive steps will yield impressive results after the earth dries out.
  •  Inspect the basement walls and floor for cracks, and check that the joints between them are well caulked. The same applies to any point where pipes penetrate.
  •  Make sure the water supply to appliances and bathroom fittings is absolutely leak-proof. The slightest drip can permeate walls and floors and become a perfect breeding-ground for mold. If in doubt, ask a leak specialist to do some tests.
  •  The same logic applies to drains, although here you’ll probably need a licensed plumber to put a remote camera down and check. Leaking drains and sewers may constitute an added hazard, especially when there’s mold around as well.
  •  Check the outside doors and windows for any water-stains indicative of a leak. Window wells, window sills and door thresholds are likely places. If you encounter rot, replace the item immediately.

 

Five Ways to Keep Mold Away

  • Maintain the humidity level between 45% and 60% using humidifiers and dehumidifiers according to the season. Vent the clothes drier, install a bathroom extraction fan, think of how you could contribute to the problem.
  • Ensure air movement using ceiling and wall-mount fans. Mold grows naturally on rotten trees in damp forests where the air is still. Don’t store old bits of wood down there. Consider installing plastic furniture and fittings.
  • Resist the urge to soften the environment by growing pot plants and keeping tropical fish in a heated tank. All you’re doing is inviting mold to move in, and it’s a pain to get rid of afterwards.
  • Reconsider your paneling and carpets. Anything that originally comes from plants may be good for mold but bad news for you. Mold could also be lurking behind them from where it sends out spores. If in doubt, rip it out and replace it with something that’s more suitable.
  • Once a month wipe the surfaces down with a damp cloth moistened with a small amount of bleach. If it comes away blackened then you’ve stopped mold in its tracks. If not then you’ve likely got it licked.

These are simple things the average homeowner may care to try. However one idea on its own will usually not do the job. Taken together they form a system that has a good chance of success. Should they fail, then you have a more deep-seated problem. You need advice from a basement water-proofing expert.