Yuck! Not only can mold ruin your carpet, drywall, and valuable stored possessions, but it can also cause health issues for your family.
Let’s look at how mold can sneak into basements and what you can do to guard against any potential moldy intruder this spring.
Why Mold Loves Basements
Mold can appear anywhere in your house, but basements tend to be an especially tempting target. Mold loves shade, moisture, and humidity, which many basements offer in droves.
Basements tend to have higher humidity levels than other parts of a home, and many also lack good ventilation, especially if they’re filled with storage boxes. Since basements sit below the ground, it’s easier for water to seep in through cracks in the foundation, walls, or old windows.
Also, many homeowners simply don’t spend a lot of time in unfinished basements. It may be difficult to notice mold growing in a corner or on a wall behind a shelf until the spread becomes significant.
Don’t let mold take over your basement. If you’re storing extra clothes, antiques, and documents downstairs, mold can damage or even ruin your valuable possessions. Worse, mold can cause respiratory issues or trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
How To Safeguard Against Mold
The best way to fight mold in your basement is to prevent it from growing in the first place. That means eliminating the conditions that support mold growth and making sure to store your possessions correctly.
Here are five ways to prevent mold from ever gaining a foothold in your basement:
-
Control Moisture in Your Basement
Mold cannot survive without moisture, so you can drastically lower your mold risk by eliminating any leaks in your basement. Evaluate your basement and look for any sources of moisture. Check that your windows are properly sealed to ensure moisture doesn’t seep through your walls or floor.
If you have appliances like a washer, dryer, refrigerator, freezer, or water heater in your basement, check for possible leaks or standing water. If you notice any leaks, replace the appliance or request a repair.
-
Lower the Humidity
Even your best efforts may not be able to fully eliminate moisture in your basement, especially during the rainy season. Another way to tackle moisture is to cut down on humidity. Your goal should be to keep humidity below 50% in your basement. The easiest way to do this is to install a dehumidifier.
You can also place desiccants in your basement. Desiccants are any type of material that absorbs moisture. You’ve probably seen little silica packs in boxes of new shoes. That’s a desiccant. You can purchase packets of silica gel or even clay desiccants and put them around various spots in your basement.
-
Improve Ventilation and Air Flow
Keeping air moving through your basement helps prevent the stagnant, humid conditions mold needs to thrive. If you have vents in your basement, conduct regular maintenance checks each season. If you don’t have vents, a simple way to improve airflow is to add one or two fans to the basement.
You can keep them on continuously or turn them on during especially humid days. Once the weather warms, you can also open your windows to improve ventilation. Just make sure to close them if the forecast calls for rain.
-
Clean and Disinfect Your Basement
It’s easy to overlook the basement when it’s time to clean the house, but just because you don’t spend a lot of time there doesn’t mean it stays spotless. Cleaning your basement regularly is a good way to keep an eye out for mold and check on moisture and humidity levels. Use disinfectant on your basement floors and walls to help prevent mold growth.
If you do see mold, remove it immediately and thoroughly disinfect the surrounding area. Look for any underlying moisture issues, like a leaking water heater or loose window frames, and fix them as soon as possible.
-
Keep Your Stored Items Safe
Many basements are used partially or primarily for storage. It might be where you stash your holiday decorations, your sports equipment, and your seasonal clothing, among other things. These items are valuable, and you do not want them to get ruined by mold.
First, make sure your possessions are completely dry before storing them, especially clothes, sheets, curtains, quilts, shoes, and blankets. Next, choose the right storage container.
The best way to protect antiques and other stored items from mold is to put them in airtight containers. Plastic storage bins or totes with lids are the ideal options. While plastic storage containers are more expensive than cardboard boxes, mold can’t get through them and damage your possessions.
It’s also a good idea to keep boxes off the floor. Invest in shelving units or install shelves on the wall. If you do choose to store your possessions in cardboard or wooden boxes, put them on shelves or racks. For extra mold protection, add desiccant packs to your boxes.
other related articles of interest:
Unveiling the Hidden Secrets: Facts About Mold Lurking in Your Home
From Mold to VOCs — Lesser Known Allergens and Irritants to be Aware of Before Renovating
Keep Mold out of Your Basement
A few simple steps can go a long way toward preventing mold from entering your basement this spring. The most important action you can take is to fix any issues that let moisture in. After that, working to cut humidity and promote air circulation will make it difficult for mold to grow.
Storing your items in airtight containers will protect your possessions from mold damage. Finally, don’t forget to clean your basement on a regular basis so you can spot mold before it spreads.
Keeping mold out of your basement will make your home a healthier, happier place for you and your family.
Find Professional Services Abatement Services Junk Removal Site Preparation Recovery Services top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Image credit: safeguarding your basement against mold by envato.com
end of post … please share it!
| more photo remodeling |
Jump Over to Our Photo Analysis Center for Ideas on
"Renovating Home"
|__________________________________________________________|
home remodeling surprise
find out where it might go - new win
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this article within your social networks.
