Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Water damage - Ways to stave off Basement Mold


Restoration: It is common to observe mold growth in a damp basement. However, the mold may be noxious and it should be controlled and extinguished as soon as it is detected. If your basement smells moldy or you can find visible mold growth, it's possible that you could have a mold infestation that can effect the health of your family. Even if you cannot see it, mold may be hidden behind drywall, behind paneling or wallpaper, on the top side of ceiling tiles, or beneath carpeting and padding. Air conditioning and heating ducts can also hide mold. Other common areas for mold to grow is around leaking pipes or pipes that are continually damp with condensation.

Confining dampness is the most effective way to prevent mold growth in your home. Mold growth cannot begin without water. That's why it's important to keep your home clean and dry. Once there is water or moisture present, the conventional construction materials used in basements provide a great source of nutrition for all types of mold. Here we have listed some tips to prevent mold growth in your basement,

Try to keep the ground outside your home slopes away, so that water is directed away from the house instead of collecting near the basement.

Make sure other sources of water are not stuck near the basement. This includes water from downspouts and outdoor sprinkler sprays that could hit the outside basement walls and windows.

Make sure to free your basement from water. Clean up spills as quickly as possible, and dry out any wet building materials within 24 hours.

Do not use carpeting in the basement or in any bathrooms, don't even use it in your upstairs bathrooms.

Condensation on your basement pipes or windows are the dangerous sign of high humidity. Wrap cold surfaces such as basement water pipes with insulation to avoid condensation.

Always maintain your basement humidity below 60 percent. If necessary, run a dehumidifier in your basement.

Make sure your clothes dryer ventilate to the outside of your home.

Install an exhaust fan either in the basement or upstairs to pull moist air out of the bathroom while running the shower. After finishing, allow the exhaust fan to run another 20 minutes.

Keep your basement well ventilated. Fans can be used to keep the air moving.

Increase the temperature of your basement if you need. Warmer air can hold more moisture without stimulating condensation on cold surfaces.

Consider having an skilled mold remediation professional present when investigating for mold in the basement. Even the act of searching for mold, such as when pulling down sheet rock or pulling up carpet, can release a large amount of hazardous mold spores.

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