Basement Mold. The Dangers of Mold and How To Eliminate It
Advanced Basement Waterproofing • March 20, 2020
Basement Mold. Identifying Dangerous Basement Mold and How to Eliminate it.
Many basements are susceptible to water damage, and where there’s water, mold often follows.
For most of us, the basement is a place of unimportance. We use it most often to store items not in use or things we need to get out of the way. It’s no surprise that mold can grow undetected here, especially if you don’t visit the basement on a regular basis.
However, as a responsible homeowner, you should make it a point to routinely inspect your basement for mold or other issues. The sooner you can spot mold issues, the easier they can be to treat.
Basement Mold: What It Looks Like and Where It Comes From
Mold needs two things to grow: material and moisture.
In basements, the material is usually the wall, though it can grow on just about any material in your basement. Water that runs from above the ground down your basement walls creates prime conditions for mold to thrive. And it only takes a couple of days after experiencing moist conditions that mold will start to grow.
This is why it’s important for homeowners to inspect their basement after a heavy rain or snowstorm to ensure moisture is kept in its place.
Basement mold
can take several forms, including splotchy green, black, or white spots. It may appear slimy, or it could look as though it’s climbing in a certain direction. Most often, mold will look like a stain on the wall.
In addition to visual signs of mold, you can also “smell” when your basement might have mold. Wet or mildewy smells can indicate a moisture problem in your basement, which may indicate that mold is lurking somewhere.
The Health Risks of a Moldy Basement
Mold growth of any sort can cause serious health consequences if left unchecked. Mold has been associated with a number of issues, including eye and nose irritation, coughing, sneezing, and other allergy-like symptoms, asthma, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, lack of mental clarity, heart issues, skin rash, and respiratory issues, to name a few.
To be clear, mold is almost always present in a home in the form of mold spores, which are almost impossible to eliminate completely. These spores float through the air but will usually not cause harm unless they settle and come in contact with water. This is when mold starts to grow in the home and wreck the most havoc on your health.
How to Get Rid of Basement Mold
Getting rid of basement mold can be a challenging process, depending on the severity of your mold infestation and the materials it affects. But as daunting as the process may seem, you’ll want to take immediate action to prevent the problem from getting worse.
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Working with a professional mold removal company like Advanced Basement Waterproofing in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Working with a mold removal professional is the fastest, most certain way to give your basement a clean slate and make sure you don't expose yourself to any health risks. If you suspect your basement might have mold, contact us
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