Mold is something that homeowners never want to come across in their residential property. But mold spores are naturally present in the air and can cause mold growth to occur at any moment. One of the most common places that mold can be found growing in a home is the basement.

Basements are prone to being affected by moisture, and moisture is a key ingredient for mold growth. So, if there is excess moisture in the basement of your home, then there is a good chance that mold growth will soon follow.

If you do come across mold growing in your basement, then you must act promptly to address the fungus. This is especially the case with brown mold, which is a type of mold that is commonly found in the basement. The longer that mold growth goes unaddressed, the more damage it will cause to your property.

Continue reading to learn more about basement mold and how to go about the mold removal process.

What Causes Mold Growth to Occur?

As aforementioned, mold growth can occur at any time because of the way mold spores are naturally present in the atmosphere and can easily make their way into your home’s air space. Once mold spores encounter an environment that suits their needs, mold growth can be triggered.

Aside from a moisture source, mold also needs an organic food source to grow. Oftentimes, mold will use cellulose as food. This substance can be found in many common building materials, including drywall and wood. This is also why mold growth is a common occurrence in the aftermath of water damage. Furthermore, when mold grows on a surface, it uses it as a food source. The mold eats away at the material’s structure which can lead to severe structural harm.

In the basement, any walls and furnishings affected by water can become susceptible to mold growth if they are not dealt with in a prompt manner.

mold in the corner of the basement

What Should I Know About Brown Mold?

Brown mold can refer to a variety of mold species, as there are numerous mold types that can have a brown appearance. This can include cladosporium, ulocadium, stemonitis, and more. They are often found growing on ceilings, walls, wood, and other hard surfaces.

While brown mold implies a brown color, it can look closer to black in color. Texturally, brown mold might be fuzzy, getting thicker with time. However, some brown mold will develop into blob-like shapes.

Like other types of molds, brown molds can cause people to experience health problems. Mold exposure can lead to allergy-like symptoms like nasal congestion, coughing, sore throat, and more.

How Can Basement Mold be Prevented?

The key to preventing mold not only in your basement, but elsewhere in your property, is to control the moisture level. When you minimize the amount of excess moisture in an area, you prevent the environment from taking on the ideal conditions for mold growth. So, if any water accumulates in your home or business, address it promptly. If your property experiences water damage, then do not hesitate to get the problem resolved.

How Do I Remove Basement Mold?

Before even trying to remove basement mold, you first need to address the moisture source that has triggered the mold growth. Otherwise, water will continue to affect your property and encourage additional mold growth. Once the moisture source has been dealt with properly, then you can turn your attention to mold removal.

If the basement mold has not affected too large of an area in your property, then there are do-it-yourself mold removal techniques that you can use. If the basement mold has damaged a significant portion of the area, then mold removal should be conducted only by qualified professionals. If you have mold allergies, then resort to professional mold remediation help regardless of the amount of basement mold.

When conducting mold removal on your own, wear protective gear, including a face mask, rubber gloves, and goggles. You will need either a sponge for softer surfaces or a stiff brush for hard, porous surfaces.

Create a solution of 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and then place the solution in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area, and then scrub it. For tougher mold situations, make a paste that is equal parts water and baking soda. Then scrub the area with the paste.

You can also try a solution that is equal parts vinegar and water. Spray the solution on the moldy area, and let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub it down with soap and water.

Professional Mold Remediation Services

If you have basement mold, then mold removal must be done right away. RestorationMaster can help with your basement mold issue through the professional mold remediation services that we offer to homes and businesses nationwide.

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 restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold 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 restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold 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.