Can you get sick from a wet basement?

• <div><p>While water in your basement is unlikely to make you sick unless it’s coming from a sewage backup, mold is likely to start to grow in wet areas within 24 hours, and mold can make you sick. According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/index.html">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</a>, inhaling mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, including runny nose, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and itchy skin. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma and immunocompromised individuals are at an elevated risk of symptoms when inhaling mold spores.</p></div>

What happens if you don’t fix foundation problems?

• <div><p>If foundation problems are not fixed, they will likely worsen over time, leading to more complex and expensive repairs. Neglecting a damaged foundation can cause a range of issues, including:</p><ul><li><p><b>Structural Damage:</b> Minor problems like small cracks can escalate into major structural issues. This can damage the house above the foundation and, in severe cases, lead to foundation walls caving in or a total collapse.</p></li><li><p><b>Water Damage and Pests:</b> Moisture and water intrusion can cause flooding, mold growth, and pest infestations.</p></li><li><p><b>Health and Safety Risks:</b> Mold can lead to poor indoor air quality and other health risks, while structural instability poses a significant safety hazard.</p></li><li><p><b>Reduced Home Efficiency:</b> A compromised foundation can negatively impact your home's energy efficiency.</p></li></ul><p>To avoid these escalating problems and costs, it's best to hire a foundation repair company to address any issues as soon as you become aware of them. The earlier problems are discovered and fixed, the lower the repair cost will likely be.</p></div>

Get matched with top basement waterproofing pros in Gridley, CA

Q: Can I use dry mode instead of a dehumidifier?

• <div><p>While &quot;dry&quot; mode on your AC can help reduce humidity levels to some extent, it may not be as effective as a dedicated dehumidifier, especially in areas with extremely high humidity or larger spaces. Dehumidifiers are specifically designed to remove moisture from the air more efficiently, making them a better choice for tackling persistent humidity issues.</p></div>

Q: How long should you wait after a new build to finish a basement?

• <div><p>You should plan on waiting at least a year and ideally two to three years after construction before finishing your basement. This will give the foundation time to settle in response to the weight of your home and the expansion of the surrounding soil. You can then repair your foundation and seal any cracks as needed before finishing it to reduce your risk of future leaks or other issues.</p></div>

Q: Can you make a crawl space liveable?

• <div><p>Yes, you can technically make a crawl space liveable, but the only way to do so is by converting it into a basement. While some crawl spaces are big enough to walk through and store large items, they lack appropriate insulation and space to be liveable. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Basement Waterproofing pros in Gridley, CA

*The Angi rating for Basement Waterproofing companies in Gridley, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Waterproofing needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Basement Waterproofing companies in Gridley, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Waterproofing needs.

Last update on March 24, 2025

Reviewed in March 2025
Under sink flooring replaced due to leaking garbage disposal. Also put in new garbage disposal.
Premier Plus
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Reviewed in November 2024
The Handy Man came to a family rental property to completely redo the flooring after some pet damage and removed dry rot, broken windows and more! They were very professional and quick to action with with response time and quick completion time! Kept myself and the family updated with the...
The Handy Man Services, Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2024
Repairman was punctual, knowledgeable and friendly. Solved the leaking water line in the RV. I will recommend this repair person.
JHarper handyman service llc - Unlicensed Contractor
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Reviewed in March 2024
Ethan went above and beyond!!! I highly recommend Ethan for your irrigation needs.
Faith Construction Paradise - Unlicensed Contractor
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Reviewed in June 2023
On time and cleaned up and they did a excellent job can't even tell that we had trees cut down
Castro Tree Service
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Reviewed in August 2022
Hauled some trash away from my home. They showed up on time and did a great job.
Castanon Hauling & Junk Removal
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Reviewed in May 2022
Mike and his team did a great job staining my house. They were fast, neat and did great work. They were significantly cheaper than other companies I checked with. I would highly recommend them.
Mike Samuelsen Painting
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Reviewed in April 2022
We hired them to install piping for propane to be used as heat, cook stove and water heater. They provided the water heater, installed it. Did all the trenching for piping across driveway, under the home and to the roof for a new heating/cooling system. Ryan was informative, friendly and...
Earl's Performance Plumbing
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Reviewed in January 2022
Branson graded our driveway and did a fantastic job! He responded quickly after a major rainstorm washed out parts of the road. The 1/4 mile driveway was repaired and graded before we had any more storm damage. The job was started right away and finished on schedule. I would definitely hire...
Branson Enterprises
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Reviewed in July 2021
The quality and professionalism was awesome. My concrete was done in a timely and the price was great!!! I highly recommend.
A.T., Inc.
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Find Basement waterproofing pros in Gridley

Groundworks

5.0(

)

Serving Gridley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"The team went above and beyond to make sure we understood everything that was being done during the project. Very kind and respectful team. Great work. Thanks to Foreman Erick Baez chia Juan Ortega, Bricio Contreras, Aamuel Ayala, Alonso Castaneda and Juan Valenzuela Diaz."

+16

78 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Palm Construction, Inc.

5.0(

112

)

Serving Gridley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Very professional. Completed the job in two weeks. The deliverables were as promised. They were very independent, requiring only minimal involvement from the client. However, communication with the owner could be enhanced a bit."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Serving Gridley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I only use James when I need some work done to my house. He responds fast, gets the work done quicker than just about anyone else I've ever used and seems very concerned with leaving his customers happy."

Recommended by60%of homeowners

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Basement Waterproofing questions, answered by experts

While water in your basement is unlikely to make you sick unless it’s coming from a sewage backup, mold is likely to start to grow in wet areas within 24 hours, and mold can make you sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inhaling mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, including runny nose, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and itchy skin. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma and immunocompromised individuals are at an elevated risk of symptoms when inhaling mold spores.

While "dry" mode on your AC can help reduce humidity levels to some extent, it may not be as effective as a dedicated dehumidifier, especially in areas with extremely high humidity or larger spaces. Dehumidifiers are specifically designed to remove moisture from the air more efficiently, making them a better choice for tackling persistent humidity issues.

If foundation problems are not fixed, they will likely worsen over time, leading to more complex and expensive repairs. Neglecting a damaged foundation can cause a range of issues, including:

Structural Damage: Minor problems like small cracks can escalate into major structural issues. This can damage the house above the foundation and, in severe cases, lead to foundation walls caving in or a total collapse.
Water Damage and Pests: Moisture and water intrusion can cause flooding, mold growth, and pest infestations.
Health and Safety Risks: Mold can lead to poor indoor air quality and other health risks, while structural instability poses a significant safety hazard.
Reduced Home Efficiency: A compromised foundation can negatively impact your home's energy efficiency.

To avoid these escalating problems and costs, it's best to hire a foundation repair company to address any issues as soon as you become aware of them. The earlier problems are discovered and fixed, the lower the repair cost will likely be.

You should plan on waiting at least a year and ideally two to three years after construction before finishing your basement. This will give the foundation time to settle in response to the weight of your home and the expansion of the surrounding soil. You can then repair your foundation and seal any cracks as needed before finishing it to reduce your risk of future leaks or other issues.

Yes, you can technically make a crawl space liveable, but the only way to do so is by converting it into a basement. While some crawl spaces are big enough to walk through and store large items, they lack appropriate insulation and space to be liveable.

The Gridley, CA homeowners’ guide to basement waterproofing services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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