Basement Mold Removal

Your basement is one of the most common areas of the home for mold to prosper. Mold is a fungus and, like many living organisms, all it needs to grow is the presence of water and something to feed on. Basement mold is so common because these conditions are so easily created. Dry basements are notoriously difficult to create and maintain.

Basement mold can land and feed on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, brick, or insulation—and that's just to name the most common feeding materials. There isn't a basement that doesn't have something for mold to feed on. Of course, not all basements are infested with basement mold. Part of this is simply the randomness of living organisms, but doing your best to reduce moisture levels and water leaks will reduce the likelihood that you have to deal with basement mold.

Basement Mold
Basement mold is usually detected by sight or smell. If you think you see or smell mold, you probably have a problem. A certified mold inspector should be able to give you a more definitive assessment of the problem, but the first thing you should do is identify the source of water entering your basement. If you have mold, you also have a moisture problem. It's that simple.

Often, water seepage into the basement has nothing to do with the basement itself. Clogged gutters or poor yard drainage can cause water to funnel into your basement. If enough water is present, there doesn't even have to be cracks in the basement wall, pressure can actually push water right through your basement walls. In any case, you'll need to find the nature of the water problem and have that fixed first. Then, and only then, is it time for basement mold removal.

Basement Mold Removal
Depending on the size of the mold infestation, you may need to hire a certified professional to take care of your mold problem. You may want to hire one anyway. Spores are most likely to be stirred up during the removal process. This is the primary reason why it's imperative you take care of your water problem first.

Some forms of mold are harmless; others can be harmful to your health, especially if you have allergies or asthma. You should always use gloves, goggles, and some kind of breathing equipment. You'll need to seal the affected area off from the rest of your home. Carefully remove and throw away any mold-affected material and then scrub the area clean. After the area is clean, use a borate-based detergent to keep the mold from reappearing. Again, for larger areas of mold growth, you'll probably need to hire a mold removal professional. In some places, you may be required by law to hire a certified professional.