Basement Mold

Basements are a wonderful extension of living space for many homeowners. However, whether your basement is finished or simply a storage area, it’s important for homeowners to realize that basement mold can be a real problem. Basements are typically damp. Basements often store items that are paper based or contain wood, which provides an excellent food source for mold. Pipes, heating and air conditioning systems, washing machines and dryers are often located in a basement, bringing humidity and moisture to the area. Mold loves darkness and moisture!

Find the Mold in Your Basement

Your nose could be a good gauge to let you know if you have mold in your basement, but by the time you can detect a mildew or mold smell, the mold may have a pretty good hold. So, how do you know if you have basement mold? Regular inspections are the key to preventing mold from developing in your basement.

Regularly check drywall, ceilings, and baseboards, ceiling tiles, joists, carpeting and baseboards for signs of mold or stains that could indicate a water leak.

Check regularly areas that could be affected by a water leak, such as areas under the kitchen or bathrooms.

Pipes and the areas around them should be looked at periodically to ensure that water isn’t leaking slowly and providing the right conditions for mold growth.

The drywall around your dryer should be checked now and then too given that dryers produce heat and moisture every time they run.

Heating and air conditioning ductwork should be cleaned and checked on a regular basis to make sure mold spores aren’t being spread throughout your home every time the air conditioning or heat kicks on.
Check stored furniture and boxes too (undersides) to make sure mold hasn’t begun to develop in unseen places.

Prevent Mold in Your Basement

There are ways to prevent mold from forming in your basement.

One inexpensive tool is a humidity meter. Purchase one from your local hardware store and place it in your basement. A safe reading is anything below a 60% humidity level.

While you’re at the hardware store, purchase a dehumidifier too. A dehumidifier will help to control the humidity level by drawing moisture right from the air.

Wrap your basement pipes with insulation.

A well-ventilated basement is less likely to develop mold issues.

The ground area outside your home should slope away from the basement, not toward it.

If you have a water leak or flood, clean it up and get your basement dry as soon as possible!

An exhaust fan should be installed if there is a shower in the basement. Moist air will then be pulled outside the home instead of building up inside the basement.

The cost of drywall, new furniture, carpeting, and anything else affected by the mold would be far more costly and time consuming than a trip to the hardware store. You’ve heard the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, haven’t you?

The investment you’ll make in a dehumidifier, humidity meter, exhaust fan, and yearly duct cleaning can’t compare to what it would cost to get rid of basement mold once it has appeared and taken hold in your home.