Mold is the enemy of a safe and healthy home. That being said, most homes experience a mold issue to some degree – especially in the basement. Here is everything you need to know about mold, including what it is, how you can tell if your home has a basement mold issue, and how to treat and prevent basement mold issues.
What is mold?
It’s alive! Mold is made up of millions of tiny organisms that grow and thrive in damp environments. In the home, mold can appear on nearly any surface, including ceilings, walls, windows, tile, and even furniture. There are many different types of mold, but a common characteristic is a distinct, musty smell.
Mold both appears on surfaces and floats through the air as “spores.” If inhaled, mold spores may cause health issues (more information on this below). Everyone reacts differently to mold, and you may be immune to the health problems it causes, but when it comes to mold, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Signs you have basement mold
Here are some do-it-yourself methods for determining whether there is mold in your basement:
- Use your sense of smell – when you walk into and around your basement, check for mildewy and musty smells. Turn on your A/C and heat and notice if the smell starts or becomes stronger – your HVAC system may have mold itself.
- Keep an eye out for black or green patches or streaks. Black mold is a highly common (and dangerous) type of mold. Check all walls and floors in your basement, as well as underneath appliances and around pipes for signs of black mold.
- Take action on basement moisture. If you notice stains on your drywall, standing water, or water leakage, be sure to address these issues immediately. Mold thrives in damp environments, and allowing water to hang out in your basement is a significant mold risk.
- Check out the spaces in your basement you may not normally see, like the back of the stairs, under storage boxes, under furniture, and behind large appliances. Mold is sneaky and can thrive in all of these secret spots.
- Take note of peeling wallpaper, a sure sign of moisture and, possibly, mold.
How to keep mold out of your basement?
Here are some easy, smart ways to avoid basement mold issues:
- Regularly ventilate your basement. If your basement has windows, open them up once a week and turn on some fans to get the air moving. Even if your basement does not have windows, fans can help circulate the air and dry out moisture. This is especially important if you have laundry or a bathroom is in the basement.
- Invest in a basement dehumidifier and run it often, with the goal of keeping the humidity level of your basement below 50%.
- Make note of water leaks and get them fixed right away.
- Avoid carpet or floor coverings in areas of the basement that may get wet.
- If you do laundry in your basement, do not air-dry clothes there. Instead, take them upstairs or, better yet, outdoors to dry.
- Do a moisture inspection of the entire basement once a month or at least several times per year.
- If you do notice mold, call in an expert like Zablocki Waterproofing – we can help eradicate existing mold and prevent future issues.
What to do when you find mold?
If you do find mold in your basement, don’t panic. Unfortunately, this is a common problem that nearly all homeowners will experience at some point. What matters is your reaction: bring in an expert like Zablocki Waterproofing to quickly address the issue and offer services for basement waterproofing so you never have to deal with mold again.
A trusted basement waterproofing and foundation repair resource serving the Milwaukee community for more than 30 years, Zablocki Waterproofing will ensure your home is safe and sound. Give us a call with questions or to schedule an appointment today.
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