When you have signs of mold in your basement or crawl space, it’s important to figure out a fast way to eliminate it from your home. Mold, an organic structure caused by the spread of certain fungi, can grow in areas where there is excessive moisture and humidity, making basements the ideal space for it to ruminate and spread.
Our mold remediation specialists at Crawl Space and Basement Technologies of Raleigh understand how frustrating it can be to find mold in your basement. From its unsettling appearance to the health risks associated with its growth, mold needs to be eliminated from your home so it does not continue to spread into your living space. When mold continues to grow, it can cause further harm to your home and the people in it.
How can you combat a mold infection? We have the top ways to eliminate mold in your basement and are sharing our tips for how to prevent future mold or mildew outbreaks from wreaking havoc on your home.
Causes of Basement Mold
The first step in eliminating mold in your basement or crawl space is to understand what causes mold to grow in the first place. This is important so you can not only eliminate mold but prevent future mold from having a place to grow.
Mold is the result of a fungi species that, when introduced to moisture, generate spores and reproduce. Without some kind of moisture control in your basement, if there is water from a leak or flooding, mold will thrive.
The most common causes of mold in your basement are:
- Flooding: When water pools, stands, and accesses nearby walls, furniture, or other items, it becomes a breeding ground for mold to develop and spread.
- Leaks: When a leaky pipe or drain is causing water damage to your basement, the moisture buildup increases the chance that your basement will suffer from mold growth.
- Humidity: When moisture and humidity meet, it becomes the perfect combination of a damp and musky home for mold to flourish.
How to Identify Mold in Your Basement
In order to identify if mold is growing in your basement, you can use an at-home mold testing kit or schedule a mold inspection with a reputable basement waterproofing company. However, it does not always take an expert to let you know there is mold growth in your basement or crawl space, there are often several signs that can help you identify mold or mildew.
If you suspect mold has begun to attack your basement, here are the common warning signs:
- A damp and musty odor.
- Black spots and stains on walls and/or insulation.
- Peeling, cracking, or bubbling paint or wallpaper.
- A basement that is damp and humid.
- Condensation on pipes and windows.
- Signs of allergies, asthma, a weak immune system, or other respiratory problems.
How to Eliminate Mold in Your Basement
As concerning as it is to find that mold has settled in and built a home within your basement, it’s important to know that mold can easily be fought off and eliminated from your home entirely. Once you’ve identified that there is mold growth thriving in the damp, humid, darkness of your basement or crawl space, there are several ways to begin fighting off this infection in your home, as well as ways to prevent the future growth of mold.
#1 – Fix Leaks or Other Sources of Moisture
As we’ve established, mold needs moisture in order to propagate and thrive. Finding the source of moisture buildup, and fixing any leaky pipes and drains or access points for water to get into walls and insulation is one of the top ways to eliminate mold in your basement.
#2 – Remove Damaged Materials
As long as the infected area is not load-bearing, you can remove damaged materials like carpet, drywall, insulation, or ceiling tiles in order to get rid of the mold buildup in your home. If you do this yourself, be sure to wear gloves, protective eyewear, a dust mask, and protective clothing to reduce the potential for negative effects on your health when in direct contact with mold.
#3 – Use a Cleaning Solution
Unless you are an experienced chemist, it’s vital to avoid mixing chemical solutions together for DIY mold removal. Instead, opt for non-toxic cleaning solutions that are capable of eliminating mold safely without putting your health in further danger by exposing yourself to harsh chemicals. Household items like white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and Borax can be mixed with water to create a mold-fighting solution. Additionally, bleach is highly effective at killing mold spores. If you are unsure of the right cleaning solution to eliminate mold, contact a Raleigh mold remediation company that can clean your basement and other infected materials professionally.
#4 – Contact a Mold Remediation Professional
While it can be tempting to want to save money by removing and cleaning your basement yourself to eliminate mold, there is no better way to eliminate mold spores than to leave the job to the professionals. Through mold remediation, a licensed mold removal expert can ensure that all traces of mold spores are removed from your basement and any other materials in your home. Furthermore, when you use a professional mold remediation company to fight off mold attacks on your home, they can conduct an inspection of your house for potential leaks or places where moisture and humidity could lead to future mold outbreaks.
#5 – Properly Ventilate Your Home
Make sure that your bathrooms and kitchen, or other spaces that produce moisture or steam, are ventilated and have a fan that can remove moisture from the air. When you’re boiling water on the stove or when you’re in a hot shower or bath, moisture accumulation will rise and seep into the ceilings or walls. By properly ventilating your home, you can help combat the production of mold and mildew.
#6 – Basement Waterproofing Services
Basement waterproofing is one of the most effective ways to prevent future outbreaks of mold and mildew. Professional basement waterproofing contractors inspect your home for signs of leaks or existing mold while taking preventative measures by identifying signs of wood rot, insect infestations, or structural damage caused by water accessing your home. When water is allowed to pool and stand, it can not only create the potential for mold spores to breed, but for the wooden beams, insulation, drywall, and other materials to acquire expensive damage that needs to be replaced once mold’s chaos ensues.
#7 – Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl space encapsulation is a proven method for eliminating the spread of mold growth. Crawl space encapsulation is done to seal your home’s underground basement or crawl space from having an access point for moisture to enter. When experienced crawl space encapsulation contractors seal a basement or crawl space, they install a thick, vinyl sheeting beneath your home. This sheet includes a vapor barrier that resists the intrusion of moisture, humidity, and other mold-inducing culprits from entering your living space or the space underneath your home.
#8 – Perform Regular Basement Inspections
If you’ve started to experience signs that mold might exist– whether a musky odor, dark stains on the walls or ceiling or a family member experiencing respiratory issues, it’s vital to schedule a basement or crawl space inspection so that you can ensure mold is not given the opportunity to create further damage to your home or to the health of people living there. Our experts on mold growth know the signs to look for when it comes to inspecting your home for harmful materials, so scheduling maintenance and preventative inspections are one way to protect your home from mold’s harmful spreading.
Contact Our Mold Remediation Experts to Eliminate Mold in Your Basement
Have you witnessed signs of mold or mildew buildup in your home and trust that professional mold remediation services will help combat your mold infestation?
Our expert team of basement waterproofing services and crawl space encapsulation services is here to help you rid your home of harmful mold buildup and to prevent future mold from wreaking havoc on your house and family.
Contact Raleigh, NC’s premier mold remediation experts, Crawl Space and Basement Technologies, at 919-847-7072 or fill out our contact form to get started on removing mold from your home today!