Proper Ventilation Will Help Get Rid Of Mold In The Basement
The air in the basement becomes stagnant and doesnt move, thus allowing the spores to grow. A properly ventilated basement that doesnt have a lot of stuff stored in it allows air to flow through.
How to fix this
A portable air purifier will work to pull the spores out and circulate the air, allowing it to be clean to breathe in. Also, make sure the basement isnt congested with things that can stop the air flow.
Use Borax To Prevent Mold Regrowth
If youre hoping to prevent mold from returning to your basement, you may also want to pick up some Borax. Borax repels mold, and a thin layer applied after cleaning can ensure your walls arent harboring any lingering spore growth.
With regards to mistakes to avoid, sometimes people opt to paint over their concrete basement walls after removing mold. Painting over mold wont kill any lingering spores or get rid of mold spots on the walls. Instead, spores become trapped under the layer of paint and will continue to be released even if you cant see the growth through the paint.
Mold remediation takes time. While the actual removal may only require a bit of hardwork and relatively little time, youll want to monitor your walls for a few weeks after cleaning. Spores are invisible to the naked eye. So, while you might have thought you did a thorough job in the removal process, you never know what might be lingering. . Keep an eye out for mold on concrete before you decide to paint. Otherwise, follow the steps above to clean mold effectively.
If in doubt, call on the Pros. Its easy to get in over your head when it comes to mold removal. When in doubt, turn to the professionals for guidance.
Common Causes Of Mold In The Basement
As mentioned above, the main cause of mold in the basement is excess moisture, which is not a rare situation in a basement. Whether that moisture comes from the outside or from the inside, it is very important to get to the root of the problem in order to deal with it and prevent any further complications .
So, where does the moisture, or water in a basement come from? Lets dig deeper.
There are two main sources of water in basements:
Basements are below grade spaces in your home, which means that they are prone to water seeping in from the foundation walls, and window wells. Since these are the lowest parts of the home, gravity dictates that if water is present, it will flow towards the lowest area to settle.
Two frequent causes of water in basements are rain and floods. Without proper grading, gutters and downspouts, rain often flows into the basement creating excess moisture for mold to thrive in. Flooding caused by heavy rains or rivers, provides the right environment for mold growth.
When it comes to sources of moisture inside, we can talk about various causes, from ineffective insulation to excess steam that evaporates and raises the level of humidity . A high level of humidity and condensation creates the perfect conditions for both mold and mildew to spread in your basement.
Did you know?
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Preventing This From Happening Again
The water remediation was just one part of the puzzle. Now, how are we going to prevent this chaos from happening again? With climate change, storms like this are, sadly, now the norm. The last thing I want is to re-do the basement and experience more water in the future. Weve had three waterproofing and flood control companies come out to give us quotes and ideas on what we need to add to our home to protect the basement. Im still going through all of the information and research, but Ill keep you posted once we have a concrete plan.
How Much Does Professional Mold Remediation Cost
If your mold has gotten to the point that you need professional help, you need to brace yourself. This is not a cheap service, even if the area that its affected is pretty small. Most professional mold remediation jobs will cost between $500 to $6,000 or more depending on the size of the area and the depth of the infestation.
Most basement mold remediation services will cost on the higher end of the spectrum. This is primarily because the messes that occur in basements tend to be far larger than what you might see in a bathroom or a kitchen. After all, you tend to notice leaks in those rooms more quickly.
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Removing Mold From Basement Walls
If youve found mold on your basement walls, you may be wondering the best way to remove basement mold from concrete/basement wall.
Fortunately, there are numerous safe ways to remove mold from your basement walls.
- Clean your Basement Walls: The first step to removing mold from your basement wall especially if your wall is concrete is to clean the wall. Take warm water and soap and scrub any build up or dirt off of the walls.
- Proper Mold Cleaning Product: Once youve ensured that your basement walls are clean, its now time to use your product of choice for mold removal.
Many of the mold removal solutions mentioned thus far, would be suitable for removing mold from your walls.
And, while many of these mold killers are non-toxic, bleach should always be used with caution while using in non-ventilated areas.
It is also preferred to use a safety mask or other PPE when handling any type of toxic mold cleaning agents.
Whatever mold removal product you decide to use, applying it with a scrub brush to the mold may assist in ensuring that you remove all of the mold and the mold spores from the surface.
Dry your Basement Walls: Mold loves moisture, so after youve cleaned your walls and removed mold, your next step should be to dry your walls to ensure the mold doesnt return from the walls staying damp.
How To Get Rid Of Mold
Small amounts of mold can be cleaned up with soap and water or a bleach and water solution and a thorough scrubbing to get rid of dead mold spores.
But if you have extensive water damage or mold growth, you should seek professional help in the form of a trained mold remediation specialist. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you call in a professional if the mold is widespread, or is more than 10 square feet in size.
How to reduce the chances of getting mold in your basement:
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Causes Of Mold In The Basement
Understanding how and why mold found its way into your basement is vital. You dont want to waste time getting rid of it only for it to reoccur.
Lets briefly delve into the science behind mold. Your unwanted home invader is the result of fungi species that generate spores to reproduce.
When these teeny-tiny spores, invisible to the naked eye, land on something wet, they start to grow. Theres no way for mold to thrive and survive without moisture .
Now that youre versed in mold 101, you can likely anticipate what the causes would be. These are the reasons why your basement could have been affected:
- After flooding: A flooded basement is an optimal environment for mold. Standing water and damp items such as furniture and carpets can serve as breeding grounds.
- Water leaks: As with post-flood moisture, leaky pipes, appliances, or drains in your basement will increase your risk of finding a moldy surprise.
- High humidity: If the old stereotype of your basement as a damp and dank place applies, your chances of mold will be higher. Humidifiers, air vents, and similar steamy gadgets or mechanisms can all encourage mold.
How To Remove Mold From Your Basement
ByHelen Alexanderpublished 18 October 21
Damp, water leaks and excess moisture in the air can all cause mold to grow. Heres how to remove mold from your basement.
If you want to know how to remove mold from your basement, this article takes you through the tools you need to get rid of it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency , it only takes a little moisture to cause mold spores to grow and this can result in damage to your property and to your health.
We explore the mold-removing solutions that can protect your home in the long term, as well as the preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of mold starting its rapid growth.
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Having successfully removed mold from your basement, its important to consider long-term solutions such as purchasing a dehumidifier that will ensure it doesnt reoccur. For more information on air quality issues relating to mold check out our features on what causes dampness in a house and is condensation on windows bad?
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Spray Hydrogen Peroxide On The Walls
Another non-toxic solution, hydrogen peroxide, is excellent for removing mold from a basement.
Place it in a spray bottle with equal parts of water. Spray the floors and walls, leaving the solution to sit for around ten minutes. Use a scrub brush to remove the spot.
Bonus: hydrogen peroxide removes mildew as well.
Basement Mold Removal Cost
If you decide to take a do-it-yourself approach to removing the mold problem in your basement, the cost will depend on the products you use for mold removal.
While getting rid of mold infestation in basement may seem daunting at first, below are a few steps to take to ensure that youre successful.
Your first step to removing mold in your basement is to figure out what kind of mold youre dealing with and identify it correctly. Mold inspections is of utter importance.
And, depending on the type of mold in your basement, youll need to take special precautions such as wearing a mask or respirator to ensure that you dont breath in harmful toxins.
Ensure that any air vents are sealed off so that mold spores dont spread to other areas of your home. Also be sure to check all crawl space in your basement.
Once youve removed the mold, you may want to consider taking extra precautions such as a negative air pressure system or HEPA vacuum.
Take steps to make sure the area has good ventilation. You may want to set up a dehumidifier to try to keep the area non-humid and well ventilated to prevent future mold growth.
Costs of do-it-yourself mold removal can range anywhere from $25 and upwards. The potential costs of your basement mold removal plan will also depend on the type of mold youre attempting to eradicate.
And, there is a mold removal cost directly dependent upon what kind of equipment is required to remove the fungus.
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Prevent Future Mold Growth
Keep your basement mold-free by installing dehumidifiers and keeping the humidity in your home low.
If your home is prone to basement flooding then you also need to invest in basement waterproofing services to keep the area dry.
If you have any questions about mold and mildew, how to find it, evict it and prevent it dont hesitate to contact the experts at Triad Basement Waterproofing. We have been dealing with basement issues and mold for more than 27 years and we guarantee that we can help you keep your home and basement in tip-top shape year round.
Avoid These Two Items
Plants and wood are sources of food for mold, James says, so resist the urge to Their propensity for mold and basements tendency toward dampness make a bad combination, he says. And while wood can certainly be harder to avoid, especially if you have wood framing or flooring, just be sure to take precautions. Regularly clean trim, paneling and flooring. If you have a basement fireplace, keep the wood outside, James says its a fire hazard and a termite attraction, too. He recommends storing wood on concrete a couple of feet from your home.
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Quickly Stop The Source Of Moisture To Prevent Mold From Growing Further
Depending on the problem, you may have to perform significant repairs to stop the moisture. If its a leaky pipe, condensation in your HVAC system, or a crack in a doorway or window, make sure to either repair or have a professional repair it ASAP. If there is a moisture problem from your basement walls, run a dehumidifier to dry excess humidity.
Causes Of Mold Growth In Your Basement
As mentioned earlier, a basement can be a breeding ground for mold because it can be damp and humid, with no exposure to sunlight. The usual cause of mold growth in basements is a water problem, such as flooding or leaky pipes. Condensation resulting from cold temperatures and high humidity is also another common cause of mold.
The best way to deal with mold is to nip it in the bud and prevent it from spreading. The following section will discuss how to detect mold.
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Avoid Overloading Your Basement
Both an organic food source and moisture are important for mold to grow. Thats why its very important to cut the food source, along with lowering the humidity level in your basement. There is no better food for mold than the things you keep in your basement such as clothes, books, carpets, food and even the cardboard boxes in which you store all of those things.
Try eliminating everything that you dont need and avoid overstuffing your basement at all costs. Air must be able to flow and it cannot do so if every inch of your basement is covered. If you must use your basement for storage, and you are worried about mold, ensure that everything is properly dried and moved away from the walls. If there is a leak or a flood, take out everything that may have been in touch with water, dry it well and then put it back.
How To Get Musty Smell Out Of The Basement
Having a mildew smell in the basement is particularly unpleasant if someone is living in it. The first process shows you where to check for sources of the smell that may require fixing or cleaning.
From there, we have several cleaning recipes and techniques to work toward basement odor elimination. Some work may need to be done to the basement, but we have got you covered.
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Our Flooded Storage Unit
If youve been a long-time follower, you may remember this blog post where I chronicled our first flooding experience. Back then, we were living in a small condo and we rented an off-site storage unit to hold our childhood boxes, Christmas decor, my wedding dress, and more. During an extremely cold winter season, a pipe burst at the storage facility, and all of our items were submerged in feet of water. It was pretty horrendous.
That was a very emotional experience for us both. I had just suffered a miscarriage and I was still recovering, physically and emotionally, and it hit us when we were already down. And seeing all of our memories from our lives ruined, was very difficult. But, we got through it and my mom was even able to salvage my wedding dress from the wreckage. Jan saves the day!
After that, a lot of good, big things happened for us. We bought this house we finally had success with IVF and then our sweet rainbow baby, Rory, was here about a year later. It was the start of a lot of good for us. So, Im looking at this flood as potentially the start of good things for the Finn family.
How To Remove Ceiling Mold
This article was co-authored by Mike Kapur. Mike Kapur is a home inspector and the owner of Sonic Home Inspections, a home inspection company in Westchester, New York. With over 15 years of experience in pre-inspecting properties, Mike specializes in mold, radon, asbestos, lead, water, and air quality testing as well as hazardous materials, pest, infrared, and general home inspections. Prior to founding Sonic Home Inspections, Mike worked pre-inspecting apartments. Mike holds a BS in Accounting from Queens College and is a Certified Mold Assessor in the state of New York.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 15 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 738,276 times.
Ceiling mold is unsightly, unhealthy and a bit of a challenge to clean. It can also cause permanent damage to your home and must always be treated as soon as possible. Following a few simple steps can help you on your way to a clean and healthy ceiling.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In Basement
Categories Home
Mold and a dangerous and unattractive invader that can cause severe damage to your home, especially when it comes to the basement, where moisture locks in and airflow typically lacks. Getting rid of mold can be daunting. You may need different techniques for various infestations and find yourself wondering how to get rid of mold in basement.
The best way to get rid of mold in your basement is to stop it at the source, remove the mold, and clean the area to prevent future growth. Although many solutions can remove mold, bleach is the quickest option. Other popular choices include hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.
In this article, well show you all the options to get rid of mold in a basement. More importantly, we dive into the easiest way to determine what type of mold you have and target your specific mold type so that it never returns.
