A Guide to Understanding Basement Mold
Whenever there is moisture in the lower level of the home, you can expect to find basement mold. In addition to being unsightly, mold is actually very dangerous to your health. Experts estimate that more than 50% of the homes in the United States have basements with some degree of moisture and of those, some 30% have actual mold. Although mold can grow anywhere in the home where there is moisture to include the bathroom and kitchen, basement mold is one of the primary problems.
Basement mold is a fungus and in the wilderness, it is essential to the ecosystem by helping wood and plant debris decompose. However, for mold to grow, it must have moisture regardless of the material and when indoors, it causes problems. This means if there were tile, carpeting, sheet rock, sink faucets, etc near moisture, basement mold would attach itself and begin to grow.
The biggest problem with basement mold is that it is comprised of spores and when disturbed through cleaning, accidental bumping, construction, and so on, these spores become airborne, which are then inhaled. In addition, these tiny spores of basement mold can get onto the skin and clothing. Although no person should ever be exposed to mold, it is exceptionally risky for people with asthma, immune diseases, allergies, lung cancer, or any respiratory problem.
In addition, there are different types of basement mold, some more dangerous than others. One of the worst is black mold that produces mycotoxins. When inhaled or exposed to the skin, these toxins cause extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting, headache, irritation to the eye, and respiratory issues. When a person is infected with these mycotoxins, it is important they get medical treatment.
For anyone who finds basement mold, which typically looks like black dots of varying sizes, and sometimes coupled with a musty smell, there is a proper and improper way of eliminating the problem. However, while cleaning certainly helps, mold has to be killed since it is a live fungus. Additionally, getting rid of basement mold completely would only be possible if the moisture problem is eliminated. Otherwise, the mold would simply return.
Before starting to kill basement mold, the first step is to fix the problem of moisture. Once done, then the area should be dried out using fans, heaters, or other method. During this process, the windows should be open for adequate air circulation and ventilation. Next, the person removing the basement mold should wear a high quality face mask, long sleeves, protective eyewear, and protective gloves.
Many people believe that household bleach is the best way to kill basement mold but while bleach will lighten the mold spots and remove it, the disappearance is only temporary. The reason is that basement mold consists of tiny spores that dig deep into cracks and crevices and since bleach cleans only the surface, it only cleans the area rather than kill the basement mold. The best option is to visit a home improvement store, hardware store, or search online for a reputable product formulated to kill basement mold.
Some people prefer the more traditional type of products that contain powerful chemicals but there are also natural products that would take care of the problem of basement mold while supporting a healthy environment. Then, using the product of choice, a stiff wire brush should be used to get inside the tight spaces. If you cannot get rid of basement mold, there are professional companies that can do the job for you, a great financial investment.