The basement is one of the most common spots for homeowners to find mold. This can be due to a lot of reasons like darkness, dampness, flooding issues, and humidity. This article covers why mold loves basements, what causes the mold, and what you can do about it.
Why Does Mold Love Basements?
Even though it may seem like it, mold doesn’t grow out of thin air. It needs moisture, temperature, and time to grow and spread. Mold spores are all over everything. They’re in the air and on your clothes – and no matter how much you clean, there will still be spores in your home. It’s OK – most spores are so sparse that they’re harmless.
But your basement has conditions that mold spores thrive on. It’s usually damp, dark, and warm.
So Why is There Mold in my Basement?
These are the most common reasons mold may be in your basement.
Flooding
When it rains a lot, is there ever standing water in your basement? Even a small damp spot is enough moisture to create an environment that is susceptible to mold. If you don’t start to dry your basement quickly – within 24 hours – mold is likely to start growing. If basement flooding is part of your problem, there are many methods you can use to dry the area, prevent future flooding, and treat any mold that may have already started to grow. Do some research to uncover what makes the most sense for you.
Leaks in your home
While your basement may not be flooding, there could be leaks in other parts of your home. Water that leaks from your roof or from pipes in your home is the number one cause of mold in basements. Sometimes small leaks can go undetected for a while, but the mold can still start growing and you may begin to see it on your walls and ceilings. If this is the case, you’ll need to fix any leaks and then repair and treat the moldy areas.
Wet clothing
This is another common basement mold causer that people don’t think about. If your washer and dryer is located in the basement, listen up. If you toss your wet clothes in the basement and leave them there for more than a day, mold can begin growing on them. Clean clothes left in the washer for longer than a day can also start growing mold. These moldy clothes can easily spread mold to your floors and walls in your basement. To prevent wet clothes from creating problems, always spread them out and dry them before tossing them in a pile if you can. Or you can also make sure to toss them in the washer right away.
Contact Moldguys Restoration
If you’ve discovered mold in your basement, it isn’t the end of the world, though it can be stressful. The key is to figure out why the mold is growing and where it is coming from. Then you can take the necessary steps to fix it and keep it from coming back. Moldguys Restoration is the expert in mold removal and can provide remediation services for the basement and other areas of your home. Give us a call 781-910-5029 or fill out an online form to schedule a service!
