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.
Have More Questions About Basement Waterproofing
Please use our free homeowners guide to basement waterproofing. This is a thorough, detailed review of all the major topics from crack repair, drainage types, dehumidifiers, all the way to encapsulation. We answer the most commonly asked questions about repair methods, costs, and even discuss potential issues that our customers have encountered.
If you have mold growing in your basement or need to waterproof it before mold starts, please call Acculevel at 866-669-3349 or complete our online form. Well schedule you an appointment with one of our friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced project advisors.
They will come to your home, discuss your concerns, your plans for your home, and any previous issues youve noticed. Then, theyll perform a thorough assessment of your home. Once they have determined both the problems and the potential solutions, they will review everything theyve learned with you. As a team, you will decide what the best whole-home solution is for you and your family.
How To Measure Humidity
A hygrometer is a tool people use to identify the levels of humidity in rooms. There are different models on the market, and most of them are quite affordable and available in stores and online.
Condensation is a visual sign that the humidity in your basement is high, but a hygrometer is the only way to get precise measurements.
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When To Call A Professional To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Basement
Most basement mold cases are easy to tackle with the methods discussed in this guide, but major problems like hidden moisture leaks, floods, or ruptured pipes can lead to an explosion of mold growth in materials that have to be replaced. When you experience widespread mold, the job is better left to a mold remediation specialist.
Companies that maintain an American Council for Accredited Certification mold certification have the qualifications to safely remove moldy material and remediate mold on surfaces that cannot be replaced. Many of these businesses also specialize in basement encapsulation to prevent further problems from mold in basement areas.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In The Basement
Mold is unpleasant to look at and can be unhealthy, no matter where it grows. We dont think much about it when we see it outside on plants or in the wild. However, we do pay more attention when we find it in our home, especially the basement.
In fact, when you add a little moisture, low airflow, humidity, and darkness, the spores find places to land and grow. How do you get rid of mold in the basement?
You need to find the source and fix it, whether it is a leaky window or pipe, and then try to clean the areas that have the mold such as carpet and furnishings with vinegar and baking soda. Lastly, dry the surfaces. As always, you can call in a professional.
Lets take a look at what mold is, preparing to search for the mold, types of mold, areas to check in the basement, how to get rid of the mold, and when to call in a professional.
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Types Of Mold In The Basement
This fungus usually grows in the moist areas in your basement. The typical victims are wooden walls and floors, but other parts can also get contaminated. Thats why its also essential to learn how to clean water damaged wood bases.
You need to familiarize yourself with mold types so you know which ones are dangerous. Here is a list of them:
What To Use To Remove Mold From Exterior Doors
What to use to remove mold from exterior doors? To remove mold and mildew from doors, use a solution composed of 1/3 cup of powdered laundry soap, 2/3 cup of trisodium phosphate, 1 quart of bleach, and 3 quarts of water. Apply the solution to the affected area using a soft bristle brush, and then rinse with clean water.
How do I get rid of black mold on my front door? For regular or light mold growth, combine one part bleach with 10 parts warm water in a bucket. Put on rubber gloves, eye protection and a dust mask. Fill a spray bottle with water and spritz the door thoroughly to cover the moldy areas. This prevents the mold spores from releasing into the air when you clean the door.
How do you get mold off a painted door? Mix 1 part household bleach with 3 parts water to make a mold-killing solution. You can also use a ready-made commercial mold remover in a spray bottle , or a completely natural alternative such as 3% hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar .
How do I get rid of green mold on my driveway? The best way to remove green algae from concrete is to use a household cleaner known as bleach. Many people say to use water and vinegar however, bleach is stronger and will keep the algae spores allowing those green algae to die faster and stay off the surface for longer.
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Basement Mold Removal Methods
Basement Mold Removal through Negative Air Pressure: A negative air pressure machine can be used to prevent the spread of mold to other areas in your home.
Negative air pressures use a process called ducting to suck the air out of a room and filter it outside of the area with mold.
Negative air pressure machines are a good way to ensure that an area is free of mold spores.
Removing Basement Mold with HEPA Vacuuming: HEPA vacuums can be used for mold removal and are often a great way to ensure that all mold spores and particles have been removed from your basement.
Furthermore, if an area of your basement is highly susceptible to mold, vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum on a semi-regular basis can also help prevent future mold growth.
How To Remove Mold With Vinegar
Vinegar is natural and safe mild acid that can kill 82% of mold species. Plus it doesnt give off dangerous fumes like bleach. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growth on surfaces, spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat every few days to keep the surface mold-free.
How to Use Vinegar
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Concrobium 27400 Mold Control Aerosol
The best part is that this aerosol is entirely safe to use. The formula avoids toxic ammonia, bleach, or any other volatile organic compounds . It also works on a wide array of surfaces, from drywall and wood to stone and tile.
The cleaner is ideal for basements and any other room of your home. You could even use this aerosol in your car.
When Is The Time To Call For Professional Help
If your basement has a severe mold infestation, you might want to consider professional assistance. This is because black mold, in particular, can be dangerous if inhaled in huge quantities. If the mold issue is extremely severe, removal specialists might opt to fumigate to eliminate the infestation.
Whichever approach they take to address the issue, you can be confident that theyll carry out a thorough job to prevent a recurring mold problem. The failure to eliminate the moisture source that produced the mold will result in increased mold development.
On the other hand, an expert will eliminate all spores from an infestation to prevent the same colony from growing back in a similar area.
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What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Black Mold
Black mold or Stachybotry card can be unsightly and a health hazard in your home. Serious mold problems should be professionally treated with the necessary cleaning products to keep your home mold free. Small mold removal projects can be treated biologically with regular distilled white wine vinegar.
Basement Mold Prevention Tips
Mold requires nourishment, warmth, and moisture in order to grow. Unfortunately, your basement most likely has all three things, making it the perfect place for mold growth. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with basement mold growth. Four key steps in dealing with mold colonies are:
The fourth step, protection, is the most important and will be our focus here. As the old cliché goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Preventing the growth of mold is ultimately cheaper and easier than trying to get rid of a mold colony. Also, focusing on protecting your homeyour basement, especiallyfrom mold growth will make sure you wont have to deal with the first three steps.
The next two sections will briefly discuss the usual causes of mold growth and the methods of detecting mold in your basement. The third section provides simple tasks that you can apply right away to prevent mold growth in your basement.
UPDATE: We have recently added a checklist to help you get started on attaining a mold-free and healthy household that is safe for your family and loved ones to live in.
This is a summary of the tips below. See the checklist here!
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How To Kill Mold In Your Basement With Household Products
If the mold in your basement is only affecting a small area, less than 5 feet, and no one in your household is at risk for health complications due to mold, you may be able to resolve the problem with simple household products. The extent to which this is effective will depend, in part, on what sorts of surfaces the mold is growing on. If it has appeared on non-porous surfaces like a tile floor or metal pipes, start by using soap and hot water. Then, a bleach-based cleaning product can be used to fully kill the mold. For a chemical-free solution, you can also try white vinegar. Whatever cleaning product you use, make sure to completely dry the washed area when you are finished to prevent any future growth.
If the affected surfaces are porous, such as fabric on furniture, cardboard boxes, or even insulation, you will need to try a different approach. Some materials, like fabrics, can be washed with hot water and soap. Others, however, you may have to simply discard.
When Should You Seek Professional Help
While you can try the DIY mold removal strategy above, sometimes the problem requires professional assistance. If you try everything above and you still have fungal growth in your basement, consider reaching out to a mold remediation service.
You should also get professional help if the spores are causing health risks such as allergies, asthma attacks, or other respiratory problems. Green spores are a specific type of fungus that can be quite dangerous if left untreated. Reach out to a professional if you notice green fungal growth on your basements walls, floors, or ceiling.
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Preventing A Reoccurrence Of Mold
As important as it is to clean mold on basement walls, it is equally important to take steps to keep the mold from returning. As mentioned, most mold problems in basements are due to a lack of ventilation and the presence of high humidity. You can alleviate the humidity in your basement by using a dehumidifier. These units can be found for under $300. I recommend a model that will self-empty, having pump-out capability or by continuously draining through a garden hose that can be directed down a drain. Here is more on selecting the right dehumidifier.
Another preventative step you can take is to primer/paint the concrete walls with a mold resistant product after the removal process. An excellent choice is . These mold resistant products will range in price from $30-$50 per gallon. Most of these mold resistant primers and paints contain antimicrobial ingredients that help prevent mold re-growth in areas of high moisture content. Warning I never recommend attempting to cover, seal, or paint over mold in any situation.
The goal is not to kill the mold but to completely remove it.
Consider the following example: If you have a skunk living under your front porch, you have a problem. If you kill the skunk you havent solved your problem, you have just created a different problem. Now you have a dead skunk under your porch. The same goes for mold. Dont be happy with just killing it it needs to be removed.
Does Alcohol Kill Black Mold
In addition, alcohol dries quickly and is effective against moisture-loving fungi. Using rubbing alcohol to clean surfaces won’t kill black mold, but it will help remove stains where you don’t want to use bleach or other harsh chemicals. Step by step process. When you are ready to clean, do the following:.
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Mold On Basement Walls
Basements are the preferred spots for black mold to grow. Almost no ventilation, plenty of moisture, and a vast amount of organic material to feed on, make the process of keeping the area clean difficult. If the wall is made of concrete and has black patches, it means theres organic material nearby that keeps feeding it. That material could be carpets, newspapers, cardboard boxes, and even furniture. Get rid of all contaminated items at once before attempting to remove the fungi from the walls.
Remember to use a safety mask, goggles, rubber gloves, and other protective gear to reduce exposure to the toxic spores that are released by it and the chemicals used to remove it. The next step is scrubbing. Scrubbing with water and soap will prepare the wall for the later application of specialized fungi removal products. After using the water and soap mixture, its time to use the chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or borax. Hydrogen peroxide and water can make a safe and effective solution to eliminate the fungi. Borax, when mixed with water, can also be used to scrub the walls, and it doesnt even need to be rinsed. Once you are done, dry the walls to keep moisture away. A dehumidifier or an open window can help keep the air moving. If the task seems too daunting, get a free quote and hire a professional.
Diy Tips To Treat Mold In Basement
We do not recommend treating mold in your basement on your own, especially if the affected areas exceed 10 square feet. Removing mold is a potentially hazardous endeavor, and it is a process that should not be performed without proper experience and personal protection. Licensed PuroClean mitigation specialists use top-of-the-line equipment and techniques to treat a mold infestation. They use PPE to shield themselves from the effects of the basement mold while they clean.
However, if you insist on putting in some elbow grease, the affected area you are dealing with is small enough, AND you have the necessary equipment to do so, you may decide to make an attempt to get rid of mold yourself before the mold spreads to a larger space by carefully following these steps.
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Does Not Work On Porous Materials
Bleach doesnt work well on porous materials such as drywall, carpeting and wood paneling among others. Bleachs chemical setup prevents it from soaking up into the material and killing mold from within or removing stains. Bleach can work well for non-porous surfaces because when applied, it wont seep into anything else but its intended area.
With bleach being made up of 90% water and 10% chlorine, the chlorine will evaporate leaving the water behind. This further encourages the remaining mold to regrow.
As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency , always call for a professional mold cleaner if the mold covers more 10 square feet or more. Mold remediation should help do away with the mold and mildew permanently.
How Do You Use Vinegar To Clean Mold
To safely and effectively clean a small area of mold, ServiceMaster advises the following:
To protect yourself from mold and its spores, wear gloves, a mask and goggles. Gloves also prevent any skin irritation from the vinegar.
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