How to Deal with Mold in the Basement
Even with the best heated floors, you may find yourself dealing with mold problems mostly in spring after the snow melts. The problem is usually worse in the basement or if yours is a basement-level apartment condo. As winter sets in and the spring rains start, it is very important that you think about mold. You are at a high risk of a mold and mildew problem if you have amounts of water in the basement from cracks in the floors which allow water to seep up. Needless to say, indoor mold can pose serious health problems
HEALTH ISSUES CAUSED BY MOLD
One of the key reasons why you need to combat the mold problem as soon as you notice it is because of the health effects it has.
The main health problems include:
- Hypersensitivity reactions: allergic rhinitis, asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Acute toxic syndromes
- Infections: thrush, wound infections, skin infections and systemic infections
- Airway and conjunctiva irritations
- Nonspecific symptoms like eye irritation, sore throat, coughing and difficulty concentrating.
These are just the main health issues you might find yourself dealing with. To effectively combat the mold problem, you have to know what really causes the issue.
EXCESSIVE MOISTURE IN THE BASEMENT
Mold needs moisture, oxygen and organic material to grow. Condensation and foundation leaks are the main reasons why basements have excessive moisture. Condensation in the basement may also result from appliances that have been stored in the area.
The first step in moisture control is hence to monitor the humidity levels. The use of dehumidifiers will also help. You should also avoid growing houseplants. Wood should also not be stored in the basement. Fixing leaky foundations will also help.
PLUMBING PROBLEMS
Leaks will cause moisture problems which in turn lead to mold issues. A damaged pipe will worsen the condition. Take some time to inspect the plumbing. It is recommended to bring in a plumber to help inspect the pipes. All leaky pipes should be repaired immediately.
FLASH FLOODS
Hydrostatic pressure can cause a basement to leak or even cause flooding. This will lead to the growth of mold. In addition to damaging your floor heating, flash floods will cause the rapid growth of mold. Flash floods need to be treated immediately.
SUMP PUMP FAILURE
Almost all basements have sump pumps. If this fails, water damages will follow. The failure of the sump pump will make you aware of the serious water problem that your basement has.
POOR VENTILATION
This will contribute to the moisture problem. Poor ventilation causes condensation which leads to moisture build up and high humidity. Mold problems will not be far behind.
Now that you understand the main causes of moisture problems, you should be able to learn how to prevent these issues and deal away with mold problems. Keep a keen eye on the baseboards and touch them to feel for dampness. All in all, if you need help with mold removal, you must never hesitate to hire a specialist.
For the outdoors you can set up driveway heating systems and snow melting systems to regulate moisture and snow levels in your compound during cold winters months.
