How do I get rid of mold growth in my house old underground basement?
Basements can range from purely functional storage spaces to secondary living spaces that add value and square footage to your home. However, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More cleanup and preventionPrevention refers to actions taken to reduce the likelihood ... More should be considered whether you use your basement or not. MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More exposure can cause mild to moderate illness, especially in the elderly, young children, and people with breathing difficulties and compromised immune systems. Left untreated, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More will give off an unpleasant, earthy odorAn odor is a smell, often detectable by the human nose, whic... More that will discourage you from using your basement.
Causes of Basement Mold
MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More grows in areas with moisture, organic materialsOrganic materials are derived from living organisms, such as... More, moderate temperatures, and low light levels. Because basements are built underground, they are a prime breeding ground for moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More. MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth is likely to affect common building materials that are soft and porousPorous describes a material that contains small openings or ... More because they absorb natural water quickly. Mold growth can also happen if the mason did not apply the brick correctly, causing the mortar to leak and allowing the mortar and cement to absorb more water than usual. In many cases, the initial construction plan was not carefully calculated; waterproofingWaterproofing is the application of materials or coatings de... More methods such as waterproofingWaterproofing is the application of materials or coatings de... More materials misting of moisture were not applied.
Besides, an erratic climate often causes the floor to sweat. When there is no sunlight, the water vaporVapor is the gaseous form of a substance that is typically l... More cannot evaporate, leading to water stagnation for a long time which can leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More to moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More. Moisture can seep through foundation walls, especially after heavy rains, saturating the wood beams and drywall. Once these materials have absorbed water, they dry out very slowly, giving moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More a chance to establish their colony. Basement moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More can spread to the rest of your house if you do not remove it, so it is best to be proactive about eliminating existing moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More and preventing new moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More colonies from forming.
How To Remove Mold in Your Basement
Try looking at the corners of your basement to see if there are traces like the picture below!
Many people do not pay attention to them because they think moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More is only dangerous when ingested. However, experts have found that the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More stains on the walls can spread into the air, causing serious harm to human health. As a result, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More is a cause of asthma in people with genetically weak immune systems. Symptoms of a moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More allergy include runny nose, itchy nose, itchy throat, sneezing, and watery eyes. If you find that your wall has a sign of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More, you need to handle it immediately to protect the health of your family.
If the moldy area is relatively small, you can clean the site yourself.
You can partly clear moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More away on the surface by sweeping many times with a brush. Then you mix cleaning liquid with water and then use a towel to clean up the outside. If you have asthma, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More allergies, or other breathing difficulties, be sure to wear a protective respirator before beginning to clean and remove the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More from your basement. First, remove all organic material, such as carpeting, drapery, or drywall that is moldy. It will have to be replaced. Next, thoroughly clean the area with a bleach solutionA solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substance... More or an antifungal cleanser. Finally, allow the area to dry completely before replacing the carpet, drapery, and other furnishings.
However, you should be cautious about this method. The United States Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend the use of chemicals or biocides as a routine practice for moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More cleanup. Especially, they warn not to mix chlorine bleach solutionA solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substance... More with other detergents that contain ammonia. An incorrect mixture of chemicals can negatively affect your health. In addition, trying to clean up the moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More with bleach or other household chemicals ineffectively can even cause the sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More to disperse.
What you can do is to keep the moisture and humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More levels low by running an air conditioner or dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More. Suppose it is not possible to remove moisture through natural ventilationVentilation is the process of exchanging or circulating air ... More. In that case, the humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More level will be interrupted, and airborne fungal sporesSpores are microscopic reproductive units of fungi or mold t... More begin to actively multiply inside the house and in the basement. This process takes place on a large scale. If the humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More reaches 70% or more and the air temperature in the room is 15°C, aggressive measures should be taken. First, you need to determine the humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More level with a hygrometer accurately, then move on to identifying the source of the moisture and eliminating the problem.
If mold has colonized a larger area or has established itself inside the walls or heating ducts, it is best to call a professional mold remediation crew.
Mold remediation professionals have the expertise and equipment to remove moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More safely and effectively. They can uncover the extent of the moisture in your home or building using an electronic moisture meterA moisture meter is a device used to measure the moisture le... More. These meters are non-invasive as they can detect moisture levels within porousPorous describes a material that contains small openings or ... More building materials and building cavities without damaging your walls or ceiling.
MoldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More technicians use special products and premium professional technologies to remediate moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More and fungus in your basement, such as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) equipment, air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, and commercial-strength dehumidificationDehumidification is the process of reducing and controlling ... More equipment. They can also replace old peeling paint on walls, ceilings, and floors, remove damaged moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More plasterPlaster is a building material made of lime, gypsum, or ceme... More from the wall for the quality repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More of all defects, clean all cracks and crevices, carefully fill damaged areas with cement mortar, and saturate all walls with an effective remedy against fungus and moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More.
Reference 4 Things You Can Do to Prevent Water Damage Blog for more information on remediating moisture in your home’s basement.
How To Prevent Mold from Coming Back
HumidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More causes wet spots, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More, and a sweltering stench. It makes wooden structures deteriorate, and stone and concrete structures begin to crumble. Metal parts are covered with rustRust is a reddish-brown oxide that forms on iron or steel du... More, and wooden parts can quickly rot. Eliminating moisture is the most effective way to prevent moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More from returning. Invest in a dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More or have your basement professionally sealed. For the human body, the average humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More is about 40-60%. It is much higher for people at risk of chronic respiratory diseases, skin diseases, dangerous bronchial asthma. Dehumidifiers will prevent humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More from reaching above the necessary level and eliminate the damp conditions moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More needs to grow while making your basement a more pleasant place to be. Besides dehumidifiers, you should also purchase other structural waterproofingWaterproofing is the application of materials or coatings de... More devices like basement insulationInsulation is a material used in buildings to reduce the tra... More, grated drainpipes, sump pumps, and wall coverings.
If your basement experiences moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth, contact a local Restoration Company immediately for professional mold remediationMold remediation is the process of identifying, removing, an... More cleanup services. They use advanced cleaning products and equipment to inspect and eliminate moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More. They can also help coordinate claims with your insurance company.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More, water damage, fire and smoke damage, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More, fire, smoke, and moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
