As a common intruder, mold in the basement can not only be unsightly, but also dangerous to your health. All it takes is a little moisture before naturally occurring mold spores begin their rapid growth. Because there is less natural light and air circulation in basements, mold growth can become a serious problem. Some types of black mold can even cause lung problems. In addition, mold can quickly decompose organic materials such as wood, which can cause structural damage. This means identifying and treating mold in the basement should be a priority. Here are some common cleaning methods and useful information to help you.
The removal of mold in irregularcleaned basement areascan be a daunting task, and it's hard to know when to call in a professional and when you can reasonably do it yourself. For this reason, it makes sense to learn about the common types of mold in order to take the right steps to eliminate it. When mold spores come into contact with a damp surface, they either begin to grow or attempt to break down the item they are growing on, such as natural fibers and untreated wood. Certain types of mold can even release toxins that can become a health risk over time. Here are 5 of the most common types of basement mold:
- Black fungi (Cladosporium)– These are usually brown, but also black or gray. This type of mold is common in soil and organic material around the world and grows relatively slowly.
- Brush mold (Penicillium)– As the name suggests, this species is used in the development and production of the life-saving antibiotic penicillin. This species is also found throughout the world, but grows faster and is usually green or white.
- Watering can mold (Aspergillus)– This fungus lives outdoors and indoors and is harmless to most people. However, in rare cases, this can lead to an infection called aspergillosis. This can be for people withweakened immune systemor lung problems such as asthma can be very dangerous.
- Alternaria (genus of black fungi)– Fast-growing and brown, olive or black, this mold can cause serious infections, but cases are generally rare and are accompanied by an underlying medical condition.
- Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum)– Arguably the most common mold in the home, this is black to greenish in color, grows quickly and is known to thrive on building materials such as drywall, wood, drywall and trim such as wallpaper.
What to do if mold has formed in the basement?
Mold is not uncommon in residential buildings with basements. Because of basements' proximity to groundwater, water can rise through concrete floors and further penetrate through floor sills and wall studs. As a result, homes without a robust water diversion system can allow water to accumulate in the ground, which can crack the foundation and lead to water leaks.
- After identifying mold in the basement, there is a multi-step process where you should test it first. This way you know better what you are dealing with.
- The next step may be to remove structural elements to allow access to the mold.
- Then the mold infestation is removed using the appropriate cleaning products or household remedies.
- Next, you should mechanically remove or encapsulate the dead mold spores, whichever works best for your situation.
- Finally, contact theFix the problemwhich allowed the mold to grow in the first place.
Here's how to get rid of mold in the basement
It is possible to completely eliminate mold infestation, although the order of the steps described above is important. Remove mold in the basement area as quickly as possible to prevent its further growth. If the basement has recently flooded, you should first remove all of the water and wait until the room is completely dry before you begin cleaning.
Because some types of mold can be dangerous, you should also wear the full range of personal protective equipment and cordon off the work area. Personal protective equipment includes at least an N95 mask with a HEPA filter, but ideally a P100 mask, disposable hooded coveralls, rubber gloves, shoe covers and eye protection. Here is the required cleaning tool that you can use for this:
- cotton swab
- Glass container
- work lamp
- screwdriver
- Wet/dry vacuum cleaner
- sponge
- Bleach
- Garbage bags
- The plastic plan
- tape
- Mold remover
Detect mold in the basement
- Orient yourself by smells– One of the first signs that you have basement mold is its smell. Mold smells in different ways either musty, dusty or earthy. If you know the smell of wet wood or dirty socks, this is similarSmell of basement mold.
- Identify affected areas– After you smell mold, you should find it. To do this, look near water supply pipes, around water drain lines and sewer pipes, as well as anywhere near vents and in laundry rooms, under sinks, on the ceiling, near exhaust vents, near sump pumps, and in cavities in walls.
- Recognize the type and shape of the mold– Then turn on the work light and look for signs of mold, including small black specks, areas that look like burn marks, or large areas that just look dirty.
- Use bleach as a test agent– Then mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in the glass container. Mix it well and dab the cotton swab into the mixture. Run the swab over the suspected area. If the surface is dirty, the mixture will not cause color changes. However, if there is mold or mildew, the painted area will be lighter.
- Check surfaces for mold growth– Gently press the screwdriver into drywall or wood areas where mold is suspected. If it is mold, the device will easily press into the surface and cause the surface to flake, sometimes causing the material to fall apart.
Remove mold from affected areas in the basement
- Preparation of the work area– It is best to first ventilate the basement room with a fan if there are no windows. Then, isolate the affected area with plastic sheeting and turn off any ventilation devices to prevent mold spores from spreading through the rest of the room.
- Dry the work area– To do this, use the wet/dry vacuum cleaner to suck up water. For other latent moisture, increase the heat in the room, for example by turning on a dehumidifier and running the fan until the area is completely dry.
- Treat affected areas with mold remover– Spray the areas with basement mold with a mold remover and then wipe it off with the sponge. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the surface.
- Isolate the mold– After the mold remover dries, the mold spores are eliminated, but the mold physically remains. You can coat the mold with an encapsulating product designed for this purpose, or remove the fungus with dish soap and hot water.
- Seal the area– Surfaces such as bare drywall that can be damaged by too much water should be encapsulated with a sealant product for lasting protection rather than cleaned with water.
- Prevent new mold formation–A good system of gutters and downspouts is one step toward reducing basement moisture. Arrange the ground around the house downwards. Dehumidifiers in the basement can reduce the moisture content of the air. Seal the dryer vents with metal tape. Check pipes for leaks and repair if necessary.
Which home remedies to use for mold in the basement instead of chemicals?
You can also get rid of mold naturally by using home cleaning methods. For example includedvinegar and baking sodaAcids that counteract mold. In addition, these agents help kill the spores.
- To do this, simply make a solution of half water and half vinegar, spray it on the infested area, leave it overnight, and come back the next day to scrub with soapy water.
- For baking soda, make a paste of 50:50 baking soda and water to use as an abrasive scrub, or mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto the affected area before scrubbing.
Although these methods are usually effective for getting rid of mold in the basement, more serious problems may require stronger solutions or professional intervention. At aflooded basementor burst pipes can lead to increased mold growth in materials that need to be replaced. So if you're dealing with a major problem like this, it's better to leave the job to a restoration specialist.
