Basement Mold Removal

Mold is a type of fungus which grows in areas that are damp and do not have proper ventilation. A basement is one such place in your house which hardly receives any sunlight, thus making it a perpetually damp area. The dampness and the low temperature of the basement makes it an ideal breeding ground for mold. Though all types of mold are not harmful, black mold and mildew are very dangerous for our health. Growth of mold in the basement causes emission of various organic substances like spores, cells, fragments, etc. which pollutes the entire indoor environment. If inhaled, these materials can be potentially risky for the health of children, pets, and even adults, and may cause allergies or respiratory problems like asthma. Basement mold removal, thus, is very important to protect your family from various health hazards.

Detection of Mold in the Basement

If you have used organic materials like wood, paper products, or fabrics for the construction of your basement, then there is maximum possibility of growth of mold in the basement. Presence of mold can be identified with a typical smell associated with mold. Peeling of wallpaper or decaying of wood or worn out paint from the walls are some common indications of infestation by mold. If you see such indications, you should take up the task to remove basement mold at the earliest, so that the problem does not get aggravated further. Rub your hands on the walls of the basement to find out if it is wet or not. Many times, the walls of the basement get wet due to leakage of water in the walls. This leakage can make the ceiling and the floor of the basement more prone to mold invasion. If the floor of the basement is covered with a carpet, then black mold growth can take place under the carpeted area. When furniture is kept in the basement, the moisture of the area will get absorbed into their surface and make it an ideal place for molds to flourish.

Mold Removal from Basement

After identification of the areas that are affected by the mold, it is time to remove mold from the basement. The first step that needs to be taken is to isolate the basement from the rest of the house, so that the mold does not spread out into other areas of the house. Then prepare yourself with the proper gear like rubber gloves, goggles, respiratory mask, etc. to shield yourself from the harmful effects of mold. For the purpose of removal of mold from hard surfaces like glass, metals or plastic, apply a detergent that does not contain any ammonia and remove mold by simple scrubbing.

Application of a solution of chlorine bleach and water will be the best option for basement mold removal from tile flooring. Mix one cup of chlorine bleach in one gallon of water. Pour it into a spray bottle and spread it all over the surface. It is very effective in removing black mold. If your basement flooring is made of hardwood, take good quality sandpaper and rub it over the wood surface to remove mold. After cleaning the mold from hardwood flooring apply a good sealant on it which will help to stop the moisture from further penetration into the hardwood and attract mold in future. Mold cannot be removed from porous surfaces like paper or carpet. When the surface below the basement carpet is infested by mold, you have no choice but to throw out the carpet.

Once you have killed all the mold from the basement area, disinfect the place with the help of some disinfectant. Thoroughly spread the disinfectant all over the place and leave it untouched for at least 15 minutes. Make sure there is enough ventilation when you are disinfecting the basement. Then wash off the area with water. Do not allow the water to stay on the surface for long. Dry up the area quickly using fans, dehumidifiers etc.

If you discover that your entire basement, starting from the floor upto the ceiling, has got covered by mold, it is advisable to hire mold remediation contractors for basement mold removal. After the mold removal, it is important that you prevent further growth of mold in the basement. For this, you have to keep the basement in a dry condition. It may not be an easy task but you have to take all possible measures to keep the basement in a well-ventilated condition. Moreover, regular inspection of the basement can prevent the growth of mold too. Read more about:

• How to Clean Mold and Mildew
• Black Mold Removal
• Basement Mold Cleaning