Mold & Smell in the Basement

Mold is unsightly and unhealthy.

The appearance of mold and its accompanying musty smell in a basement are signs of serious problems. Mold can pose health threats to the individuals and pets living in the house, and the smell can be very hard to get rid of if it is not eliminated quickly. There are a couple of main causes of mold that should be addressed before it appears or immediately after it does. Cleaning up mold safely is very important.

Mold

Mold is a substance that grows on damp surfaces and rotting animals or vegetation. Basement mold is usually the result of water damage, as by flooding. Mold grows by producing spores that can be released during the cleanup process and continue growing; these spores can also create a health hazard, according to the Basement Mold website. Mold can grow in numerous places throughout a basement, including behind drywall, wallpaper, under carpets, behind wall or ceiling panels and in other places where it has access to moisture and shelter from excessive heat and light.

Effects

Mold can cause damage to the basement by ruining wallpaper, carpets, cabinets, paneling and any items that cannot be cleaned well enough to eradicate the mold. Photographs, books and paper items damaged by mold often need to be destroyed. Additionally, according to the New York State Department of Health, mold can cause respiratory allergies in some people, in addition to nasal congestion, eye irritation, headaches and skin rashes. In severe cases, the mold can become toxic.

Bleach

Cleaning up a small mold issue can be done with bleach, according to the New York State Department of Health. Diluting bleach in water and cleaning with proper hand and eye protection are important factors when dealing with mold. Bleach is the best way to kill obvious mold growth, as in corners of a basement and on the floor. Bleach helps to kill mold and reduce the smell produced by its growth.

Professional Cleaning

If the mold growth is severe, as after flooding or a prolonged period of dampness or moisture in the basement, hiring a professional to clean it can help protect individuals from mold reactions as well as ensure that all of the mold is killed. A professional will be able to control mold spores from spreading when dealing with mold behind wallpaper or paneling, according to Basement Mold. Additionally, professionals will have tools that can help purify the air to remove the smell.

Prevention/Solution

The best way to stop mold from growing is to keep the moisture level of the basement low. In case of flooding, everything should be removed from the basement and dried; the basement itself should be dried within 24 hours, according to Basement Mold. One way to reduce normal moisture in the basement is by using a dehumidifier to keep the humidity below 65 percent. This keeps the air dry enough that mold will be unable to grow.

References

• Basement Mold: Mold in Basement?
• New York State Department of Health: Mold

Resources

• University of Georgia: Mildew Prevention and Removal