Humidity means discomfort and… mold!

Humid air is more expensive to heat. And if moisture remains trapped in the walls of finished rooms, mold proliferates, even causing respiratory health problems. Mold growth, often caused by humidity, releases harmful spores responsible for respiratory issues (asthma, coughing, shortness of breath) and irritations (nose, throat, eyes). People with asthma, weakened immune systems, or the elderly are the most vulnerable to these indoor contaminants.

Foundation drainage takes place outside. Its purpose: to intercept water from the ground and remove it before it saturates the foundation or seeps inside.

Foundation drainage is often described as a perforated pipe laid along the foundation footing.

This is the famous "FRENCH DRAIN". This pipe collects water and directs it to a sump pit or directly to the storm sewer.

Obsolescence

Those wishing to buy a house that is more than 20 years old should assume from the outset that the foundation drainage has lost much of its effectiveness. Buildings constructed before the 1960s often have no form of foundation drainage.

Over time, the bituminous coating applied to the exterior face of concrete walls to block moisture deteriorates.

The drain can become clogged with sediment and tree roots, just like the drainage stone.

Signs of Basement Moisture

• Lower walls damp or blackened by mold;
• Rot on framing lumber in contact with the concrete slab;
• Efflorescence (white salts) on the lower foundation walls;
• Water stains on the floor or slab.