Preventing Mold In the Basement

The basement is one of the areas in the house where molds usually grow. Aside from the fact that is usually dark in the basement, households seldom find time to actually clean the basement. Most water leaks also go directly to the basement which can primarily cause molds in the said area.

Preventing molds in the basement can be done by eliminating water sources in the said area of the house. Below are some instructions on how to avoid and eliminate molds in the basement:

Monitor the level of humidity in your basement. You can use humidity meter to do this or install dehumidifier. The level should be lower than 45 to avoid molds in the basement. It will help to still use dehumidifier to maintain the humidity level and to lessen the air moisture.

Inspect your basement if there is water leakage. Check the faucets (if any) and sink holes and other water sources. If there is a water leak problem, have it repair immediately. And make sure to keep your basement always dry and clean after repairing the damages.

Seal or cover the cracks and holes with cement to avoid water spillage. Make sure that the cement has water proof element to prevent water from absorbing in and prevent cement to have moist.

Clean your basement and organize the clutters. This will help for proper air circulation in your basement. If this happens, moisture can be prevented as well as molds. Make sure that your basement has enough ventilation and install fans when needed.

As much as possible, do not store newspapers, old furniture, clothes and appliances in your basement. Molds may grow in these materials as well as pests. If you really need to store them in the basement, cover them and place them away from the walls. Place them on top of tables or chairs or shelves and avoid putting them on the ground.

Check the surrounding outside of your basement. Inspect the gutters, soil or ground, trees, and many others. Make sure that the surrounding is clean and the soil is healthy. Make sure also that the spouts do not go directly to your basement or home.

Install exhaust fans especially if there is bathroom in your basement. This will avoid moisture inside and molds too. Wipe the floor and clean the bathroom even if you are using it or not.

If your outside slope is directing to your basement, repair it right away and make sure that it goes away from your home to avoid water from going to your basement.

Do not use carpet in your basement or do not store one in the basement.

Make use of metal or plastic cabinets in your basement for storage purposes. Since molds grow on woods, you may want to avoid them to avoid molds too.

Allow air access to items in your basement. This will prevent moisture to your items and to your basement. Check your items in the basement once in a while to make sure that they are still free from molds.

Molds are frequent in the basement because it is usually damp and dark in the basement. Mold and mildew are fungi and they grow fast in moist and humid areas. Once it started to grow in your basement, it can be difficult to eliminate them. Molds may cause asthma, cough, infections, congestion, allergies and skin rashes.

One way to prevent molds in the basement is to avoid putting plants in the basement. Plants in the basement may serve as food for molds and pests as well. Grow plants where it is accessible to sun light and air. Growing plants in the basement will only cause mold problems.

You can call for professional help to help you in controlling molds in your basement. Once you are secured that your basement is free from molds and that water does not enter your basement, ensure that you maintain it to avoid molds. Existing molds can be removed by soap and water. Even if you have cleaned and totally removed the molds, if your basement is still open for water build up and moisture, molds will still come back over and over again.

Mold remediation is very important for those people that have had flood water in their home. Go to honorguardpest.com to find out more about this vital service.

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