Basement Mold Removal and Treatment
September 14th, 2011
Basements are the most common place that mold will grow in a house. The dark, damp, and cool temperature of a basement makes it a breeding ground for mold to take over very quickly. If you find mold in your basement, you should immediately start thinking about removing the mold. If you have to spend any time in your basement, you should wear a mask to prevent yourself from inhaling mold spores. Black mold can be nasty stuff and you don’t want to come down with some kind of mold sickness. With all the health risks associated with toxic mold you really must take any kind of mold removal and mold remediation seriously! This is what a small leak can turn into untreated over time.
Depending on the severity of the mold, you have a variety of options for basement mold removal. For minor basement mold, you can simply scrub the mold away with a combination of water and Clorox. Make sure you wear gloves during the process to prevent mold from irritating your skin. After scrubbing, use a natural mold fighting cleaner like moldshield to prevent mold from re-emerging.
If your mold is more severe, you have to do a few things to treat basement mold. First, check all carpet and furniture for water damage. If either has been soaked with water, you probably are better off just throwing the furniture or carpet away. If you keep it, it may cause black mold to accumulate very rapidly. If there is only minor water damage, you can simply air the carpet or furniture out and spray it with a mold fighting product.
If you have mold on the walls or ceiling, you may be in for a tough road ahead of you. Often times, basement mold first appears behind the drywall and works it way out until it eventually appears on the walls. This is why most experts recommend that you cut out the damaged drywall and throw it away.
The studs behind the drywall should then be inspected for any water damage and mold. If the wood did sustain damage, it needs to be removed and replaced. If there is just simply mold on the wood, take soapy water and clean it thoroughly until the mold is gone.
After you have started repairing your basement, you should be running a dehumidifier at all times. A dehumidifier will take moisture out of the air, which is vital for mold to develop and spread. Make sure that you check the dehumidifier often, and that you remove the water from the tray as needed.
Also, remember that you can only re-paint the walls after the basement is completely dry. Depending on the amount of water in the basement, it may take a few days to even a week or so. If you paint the walls before it is dry, the paint will not stick well and mold may reappear in your basement.
Basement mold removal and treatment is extremely important to take care of immediately. Mold can accumulate in a short period of time so you need to remove it as soon as possible. If you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself, contact a home restoration company who has experience in basement mold removal and treatment. It might be pricier to hire someone else, but they will get the job done and ensure that your house is safe from mold.
Categories: Causes of Black Mold, Mold Remediation, Mold Removal, Mold Testing and Inspection
