Flooded basements are a nightmare for anyone. Whenever someone faces that sad situation, the immediate response is to call a restoration service and get the place dried up.
But getting it checked for mold is crucial. Even the slightest signs of moisture or humidity can cause mold growth.
Basement mold is stressful to deal with. If left untreated, mold growth can spread on walls and eventually spread through different parts of the house. That’s the last thing you’d want.
Let’s explore further about mold so that you know how to deal with it if it ever comes your way!
Causes of Mold in Basement
There are several causes of mold. The most common ones are:
Mold Spores
These are microscopic in size and are literally free-floating in the air all the time. So, if your basement randomly catches mold even though you can’t determine the reason, the chances are high that mold spores are the culprit.
Humid environment
Humid environments are friends with mold. Leave a place, such as a basement, moist for a certain period, and you can be almost sure that mold will grow there.
Food Sources
Mold feeds on other microorganisms or tiny particles such as dust particles, pollens, etc. It may even feed on the microscopic particles present on the carpets or your floor. Keeping your indoors clean can help prevent mold.
Availability of oxygen
Mold feeds on oxygen. Any place that’s oxygenated is the right place for mold growth.
Inadequate Sunlight
Places like the basement are red zones for mold growth because sunlight hardly ever reaches there. Chances of mold growth are significantly low in places that receive sunlight.
Ideal temperature
71-82 Fahrenheit is ideal for mold. If your place is constantly at that temperature, then consider doing something about it to prevent mold growth.
Finding Mold in Basement
Finding mold in the basement isn’t the easiest task.
Sometimes, mold growth is evident on the walls, corners, or other parts of the basement. But sometimes, it’s hidden and displays symptoms that only professionals can catch.
If you are worried about mold growth in the basement, then the best way to process it is to book mold inspection services from the professionals. They’ll come in with their instruments and confirm if there’s mold growth or not.
If there are signs of mold, they’ll also tell you what type it is. Without professional help, you can misdiagnose the situation. You may have black mold in the basement, and you may think it’s something else.
Where Mold Grows in Basement
Basements are usually the places with ideal mold growth conditions. They barely receive sunlight, have enough oxygen, don’t get cleaned often, have dirt, etc.
The point here is that mold can grow anywhere in the basement. You can have it hiding in the dark spots of the basement. But it can also be out there on the walls and the roof.
The first place to check for mold in the basement is where there’s humidity. If you have leaking pipes in there, that’s the first place to suspect. Also, check near the ventilation ducts. That’s the place ripe for mold growth as well.
It is advised that you regularly visit your basement and have it cleaned. That’s good for preventing mold growth, and if there’s mold, you can detect it early. Untreated or undetected mold can induce symptoms of mold poisoning in you, such as excessive coughing, irritation in the eyes and respiratory system, or even certain skin conditions.
Basement Mold Testing
Hiring professional mold testing for your basement is a wise move. If you avoid the thing, it can spread like wildfire and damage parts of your home outside of the basement. That can put a dent in your pocket and health.
To avoid facing such regrettable situations, it’s best that you call in the professionals. They run different types of mold tests in the basement and share the results with you. Early mold detection makes it easy to deal with the problem.
If you have even the slightest doubt about having mold in the basement, it’s highly recommended that you call in the professionals. That way, you can keep your home safe and have a hygienic place to live and breathe in.
