Do you want your basement to be mold-free? Here is what you need to do.
To grow and survive in the basement, mold needs moisture, warmth and a food source. The presence of these three things creates the perfect environment for mold to grow and cause damage. If you smell something musty and pungent within the basement, have it inspected, for the earthy smell could allude to mold growth. Unfortunately, mold spores are so small that they are almost invisible to the human eye. If you are allergic, you can feel slight itchiness in your eyes and throat if you are exposed to mold. In the following paragraphs, we will share with you ways to prevent mold growth in your basement.
So, let’s begin.
Do Not Overload the Basement
As discussed above, moisture and organic source of food are all that mold needs to grow. By minimizing the levels of humidity and removing the food source, you can minimize the chances of mold growth. Paper products such as cardboard boxes, old newspapers, magazines and photo albums serve as the perfect food sources for mold. Do not clutter your basement, and remove the items that can serve as potential food sources. Also, allow some fresh air to find its way into your basement.
If you have no other place to store household items, make sure that the basement is perfectly dried. If your basement has been flooded in the past, remove all the items, and try to figure out the source of leakage. Any leakage should be fixed, and the basement should be dried, before any new items are stored.
Plants can do a great deal to improve the quality of indoor air. However, they shouldn’t be placed in the basement, as they serve as the perfect food source for mold spores.
Insulate the Pipes, Windows and Walls
Each pipe in your basement should be checked for leakage and insulated in a timely manner. If there are leaky pipes, they should be replaced right away. The new pipes should be insulated with fiber glass, pipe sleeves and other insulation materials. The windows in your basement should be sealed, especially during winter, as they allow condensation to come in.
The dew point is one of the primary perpetrators behind indoor mold growth. Condensation takes place due to faulty sump pipes behind the walls, and lack of insulation. Refrain from drying wet laundry in the basement. Also, use a dehumidifier to get rid of access moisture, thus mitigating the possibility of mold growth in the basement.
Make Sure Ground Water Doesn’t enter basement.
Moisture from the outside also results in basement mold. The slopes surrounding your house should be outward facing. If they are sloped inwards, they will allow rainwater to accumulate around the house. The moisture it creates finds its way in, thus enabling the mold spores in your basement to grow. You can hire a landscaping contractor to help you with the job.
Use the aforementioned tips to prevent mold growth in your basement. If mold growth has already taken place, seek help from a mold restoration company in Bakersfield, CA.
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