Checkpoints For Finding Problem Mold Contamination In Basements
- Leak History: Examine the basement for its evidence of recurrent leaks and water entry.
- Finished Basement Organic surfaces: Look carefully at organic surfaces such as wood, drywall, and carpets in a finished basement:
- Walls: drywall, especially low on walls, in wet corners, behind furniture, and in areas of leaks from above
- Ceilings: drywall, especially in areas of leaks from above, such as under baths or kitchens, and at the walls below roof eavesin cold climates where ice dam leaks may have sent water into wall cavities look at hot water heating baseboard locationsfor bleeder vents or other leak points
- Ceilings: suspended ceilings: look on both sides of ceiling tiles for visible mold or leak stains don’t ignore possible mold in fiberglass-based ceiling tiles.
- Ceilings: inspect framing – the joists of floors above, and the exposed side of subflooring of the floor above. See our warning about mold growth on pine boards discussed at Attic inspections above.
- Floors: wall to wall carpeting is a very common mold and allergen reservoir. Don’t ignore possible reservoirs of high levelsof mite fecals and pet dander including pets from prior owners. Look for other signs of pet presence in the building such asscratches on doors and trim.
How Do I Detect Black Mold Inside My Walls In The First Place
Peeling wallpaper can also be a symptom of mold. While some scruffiness and discoloration tend to eventually strike your wallpaper, unusual surface or peeling abnormalities such as crackling or bubbling can be a sign of wall moisture. And remember, a reliable precursor to mold is always going to be moisture. Make sure to pay attention to any warped areas that feel damp.
To keep mold from growing in your cooling or heating systems, you can have a specialist check them regularly. Another indication of mold in the house is dark grout between bathroom tiles. Even if this type is most likely the harmless type, there could be flooding in the adjacent room or a leak in bathroom plumbing that could produce a more toxic fungus type that only professionals can remove. A sample sent for testing will let you know whether or not your shower is harmless.
Mold could also be the culprit when you have pre-existent problems with breathing that after long periods at home seem to flare up. Many household species of mold wont affect persons that do not have issues with breathing. However, in individuals suffering from asthma, it could aggravate it. Consider a mold inspection and a doctors appointment if the problems with your breathing seem to get worse with no clear cause.
The Bottom Line On Getting Rid Of Mold In Your Basement
Mold can be scary, especially if you or a loved one have allergies or sensitivities. However, you can get rid of mold in your basement by fixing the moisture issue, removing unsalvageable material, and putting a little elbow grease into cleaning the affected area. Just remember to be safe, watch for cross-contamination, and never hesitate to call a professional if the problem becomes more than you can handle.
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Thoroughly Inspect The Basements Ductwork
If you dont have any roof leakage but have mold growing on your ceilings, your ductwork might be the issue. Poorly insulated ductwork can lead to mold formation, especially under ducts or registers.
Warm and moist air condenses inside the ducts, forming water. These then carry cold air through the attic and crawl space, leading to condensation. Its a sign that your ducts may be uninsulated or have a missing vapor barrier.
Nevertheless, the water inside these ducts will saturate the insulation and drywall. And this is where mold spores take root. From here, mold will continue to spread, even if your ducts have a reliable filter in place.
White Mold Mildew Or Efflorescence
With basements being cool, damp, and dark spaces, mold can thrive. There does come the confusion though. Is it white mold? Maybe mildew? Have you ever heard of efflorescence?
All three are commonly found in basements. Mold and mildew are commonly mistaken for each other due to their appearance and odor being similar.
Both can be a problem causing allergy symptoms to those who may be sensitive to mold and mildew. But then there is efflorescence. While it can look like mold and mildew, it is neither.
Efflorescence is salt and mineral deposits left behind when water evaporates. This can be found in bricks and concrete when water has seeped in and evaporated.
Causing no damage to the materials, and leaving no risk to home integrity, it does warrant an investigation into possible water issues.
In an unfinished basement, the cinder block walls may have wavy white lines going through the blocks. This is the efflorescence, and it means there is moisture in the bricks.
Efflorescence can only be found in the cinder blocks or bricks, so if you see something like this on wood or drywall, it is likely mold or mildew.
Mold and mildew are commonly found on organic materials like drywall, wood, and flooring, but can technically grow anywhere.
To know if you are dealing with white mold, mildew, or efflorescence, there are a few steps you can take to find out.
Both should be taken care of with a certified basement mold removal professional.
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Mold Can Be Dangerous
Mold has many different species, with the majority of them being a health risk. Those that are at risk are capable of causing health issues, and they also have the ability to do damage to a home.
The following is just some of the health conditions that can be caused by mold:
- Issues with sleeping
- Brain fog
- Problems with memory
Should you feel that your home or business may be the host of mold, do not hesitate. You do not want to continue putting off treating mold behind paneling because it continues to spread. Once it spreads throughout the property, it can be airborne and affect more areas. This can cause damage to the interior walls or structure, costing thousands to repair. Therefore, it is important that you call the number on our website to setup a free estimate.
Can Basement Mold Affect The Upstairs
Since basements differ from home to home, so do the effects of the mold. Different types of mold may grow in the basement.
Black mold in basements can be hazardous to the health of you, your family, and your home. Additionally, white mold in basements may also be a cause for concern.
So, you ask yourself, can basement mold affect upstairs? The answer is yes. Many people will keep the basement door closed. With this, it traps the air in the basement and lessens the airflow.
Reduced airflow in the basement can cause the mold to rapidly grow and spread. Each time the door gets opened, the air that has been trapped downstairs gets wafted into the other living spaces.
Each time someone goes down then comes back up carries mold spores with them. This can cause allergy-like conditions and allow for the mold spores to start growing elsewhere in the home.
Mold on walls in the basement can eventually seep in and start damaging the structure of the home. If this happens, the whole integrity of the home is in danger.
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How To Get Mold Smell Out Of A Basement
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What Do I Do If I Think I Have Mold
A simple, inexpensive fix is increasing the light in the space. Youll want to look for LED bulbs above 4,000K in spectrum temperature, or 100-watt bulbs, in a larger area. In smaller areas, a 40-60 watt is acceptable. Leave these lights on continuously in a basement with lots of mold or mildew. This trick will stop mold growth in basements or any other dark, damp space in your home.
The key to keeping your family safe and comfortable is ensuring you are looking for signs of unhealthy and unsightly mold. If youre not sure, call an expert! Theyll help you determine next steps.
At Basement Waterproofing, well come by for a free, no-obligation estimate, give you all your options, and let you make the decision that is right for you. Just give us a call at 800-439-4951, and we’ll be happy to help.
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Where To Check For Mold In Your Bathroom
You may love a long, hot shower but, unfortunately, so does mold. The warm, wet environment of a bathroom is practically an invitation for mold growth. Bathrooms that lack proper ventilation are especially prone to attracting mold. While it may be clear to check for mold on shower tiles, there are plenty of less obvious places for mold to grow in the bathroom.
Interrupted Mold Growth Pattern On Building Drywall
In our photographs shown above the thick black mold growth on drywall in a wet basement appears to nearly “stop” in a neat horizontal line just about four feet from the floor surface. Why?
Stachybotrys chartarum, which dominated the mold on this drywall, really likes wet conditions. As we explained above, the genera/species of mold growth may vary on a surface of the same material as a function of variation in moisture levels in the material.
In our photo at above right we show by having made a test cut into the moldy drywall that mold growth stopped its rapid advance up the drywall when it encountered the horizontal tape joint between the lower and upper runs of drywall in the building. We have found two common explanations for this observation:
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How Mold And Mildew Form
Mold and mildew need the right conditions for growth. To begin, they need mold spores as a type of seed. Spores grow with three factors: food , water, and oxygen. Increasing or decreasing any of these factors will cause mold and mildew to grow or die.
Spores land on the surface, germinate, and grow. Mold and mildew may start as early as 24 to 48 hours after the surface has been dampened. Mildew’s white-gray spots spread outward, not upward, remaining on the surface. Mold, though, eats into its basewhich makes it harder to removeand sometimes grows upward.
How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your House
It can be hard to tell if you have mold in your house. Obviously, if you see mold somewhere, youve got a mold problem in your house, but mold can hide in walls, ventilation ducts, crawl spaces, and in other hard-to-see areas.
A common way to check for mold is to smell for it. A musty smell in an area of your home is often an indicator that there is some kind of mold present. Symptoms like a persistent runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and throat irritation could also be indicative of mold.
In addition, anywhere that has been exposed to a significant amount of moisture such as water damage from flooding is a potential area where mold may be growing. Look for water where it shouldnt be, and check areas which may have flooded in the past.
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In On And Under The Kitchen Sink
A lot happens in your kitchen sink. Dirty dishes pile up , food goes through the garbage disposal, wet sponges sit in the sink or in caddies and collect bacteria, and faucets run. All of these things contribute to the potential for mold growth, so check in these areas often if you want to prevent mold. Oh, and dont forget to check underneath the sink leaky pipes are a big problem for mold.
How To Relate Mold Growth Pattern To Building Leaks Or Moisture Vairations
Reader Question: why is this black mold growing on these drywall ceilings & walls?
I attached three mould photos for you. Can you help me to find out the possible reasons? – L.Y. 6/4/2013
Reply: Summary of common reasons for mold growth on drywall
A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem. That said, here are some things to consider:
Possible reasons for indoor mold growth ?
In all cases of indoor mold growth the mold needs food , oxygen, and water some molds thrive on light, some are tolerant or intolerant of UV, and other factors.
Moisture, water, leaks, condensationa are key determinants in indoor mold growth
Of all of these, water is the key necessary ingredient which we can track and which is inviolate – that is, no water, no moisture = no problem mold growth.
I have no context for the photos, no age, no building history, occupancy, use, or other key information that an onsite inspection would disclose.
But I note that your middle photo looks as if it is a ceiling and because there is a vent therein I suspect this may be over a bathroom Common moisture sources for such an area might include
- leaks into the ceiling above
- high indoor moisture from in-building sources such as a steamy shower or clothes dryer
- leaks from the ducting for the ceiling fan
Mold growth tracking ceiling or wall framing
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Preventing Future Mold Growth
Once the mold is gone and your basement has been repaired, it’s important to prevent a recurrence of the ordeal in the future. Run a dehumidifier in your basement frequently if moisture is present. You’ll also want to make sure your outdoor drainage system is working correctly.
Check for any clogs in your gutters and that water is being deposited well away from your house. Also ensure that the land surrounding your basement slopes away from your foundation. For more waterproofing tips
How To Tell If There Is Mold In Your Basement
There are a lot of things lurking in your basement. Aside from snakes, the worst thing you can have is toxic mold. Any type of mold, in fact is undesirable. You can initially sense its presence in your basement if there are musty odors around your house. Basement mold is usually hidden away in a crack or corner, but the smell is a great determining factor of its presence.
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Black Mold Can Form In Dark Damp Corners Of Your Basement Without You Ever Knowing It
Worse, it spreads very quickly. Not only does mold rot drywall, but it can also lead to serious health issues. If you have asthma or allergies, mold can cause eye irritation, cough, congestion, and skin irritation. More serious health issues from mold exposure include fever, coughing up blood, nose bleeds, vomiting, and even liver damage. If you spot mold spores, you need to act quickly while taking proper safety precautions. Here well cover 5 steps for removing black mold in your basement.
Before you get to work in the basement, strap on a face mask and gloves to protect yourself. Without touching it, inspect the damaged area. Black mold will look like soot and may be dusty. If the job is too big, or you have health issues that could be exacerbated from addressing the mold issue, contact a professional cleaning service or mold remediation company, such as Woodard, and stay as far away from the area as possible.
