Molds are everywhere. Whether they show up in yellow or in green, there’s a problem. So there is a question what causes molds in basements?
Taking a quick action will help remove the mold and protect your home and family again.
Continue reading to discover the causes of mold, risks associated with molds, and quick solutions.
Table of Contents
- What are the health risks of mold?
- Causes Of Mold In Homes/Basements And Quick Solutions
- How to remove mold in Basements?
- How to remove smell from the basement
- Does my basement need a dehumidifier?
- Conclusion
What are the health risks of mold?
Obviously, you should understand that mold growth in homes or basements can open up yourself and family to health problems like allergies and respiratory problems.
Household molds can easily trigger the risk of asthma attack.
It can also cause symptoms like sneezing, sore throat, and runny nose in people with extra sensitive skin.
Pets can also be attacked by molds and cause health issues.
That’s why molds should be quickly removed from your home.
Causes Of Mold In Homes/Basements And Quick Solutions
Whenever a green mold (or other colors) shows up in your basement, then you should check the root cause. Because if you don’t, other molds may still return even after you’ve gotten rid of them.
Molds in basements are caused by a lot of things, which, thankfully, can be fixed.
1. Molds can grow on wet clothes left on the floor – have these clothes washed and stored.
2. Roof or pipe leakage – identify the leaking areas and take the right step to stop the leak before mold starts growing on them.
3. Condensation is one of the biggest causes of mold – molds develop faster in cold surfaces. Concrete floors and metal pipes may cause condensation. Resolve this issue.
4. Lack of proper ventilation– Molds thrive in steam because it has the necessary humidity level for them to survive. Use an exhaust fan or open the windows to improve ventilation.
5./Molds thrive in high humidity– by that I mean humidity above 65%. You’ll need a dehumidifier to achieve this.
Mold growth is due to continuous mold problems and to get rid of them you must fix the sources where they came from. While these are not expensive repairs, they’ll create a healthier life for you and your family.
How to remove mold in Basements?
When it comes to getting rid of mold in Basements, using the right product is key. Fortunately, there are lots of products that work for mold removal.
Make sure you confirm the quality of the product before use. We usually don’t recommend DIY mixes as the chemical may harm you.
That said, the following products can help remove mold from basement:
Mold remover – they’re special chemicals formulated to get rid of molds.
Bleach – mix the bleach with water to prevent damage to different surfaces.
Borax – Borax is a biodegradable and less toxic chemical.
Detergents – along with disinfectants, detergents are a safer option to bleach and are available as a cleaning agent for different households.
Essential oils – Essential oils are safer, less harsh, and smells better than most chemicals. However, results may vary. Lavender oil, clove oil, and pine oil are great choices.
How to get rid of mold from basement walls
After choosing your desired chemical, make sure you apply them safely. Mix the bleach (one cup) and a gallon of water. Then add hydrogen peroxide solution, and a cup of borax and water.
Spray the hydrogen peroxide solution on the mold and scrap the dead mold with a hard bristle brush.
How to remove smell from the basement
First off, you should fix the problem that caused the mold. Block the leaks and dry off the surface where the mold was killed. However, how can you remove the odor?
Get vinegar and put it in different bowls. Then position them around the basement. Alternatively, you can use baking soda and follow the same process.
Then, allow the ventilation to do the rest. You can also reduce the humidity level and get rid of excess moisture that adds to the odor.
Does my basement need a dehumidifier?
Not in all cases, there are other great alternatives to preventing molds from taking over the basement.
A dehumidifier will reduce the humidity level to below the normal level the mold can thrive.
Dehumidifier defends the basement against growth of mold especially in high humidity areas.
Remember that most dehumidifiers operate at a maximum of 42°.
If the humidity in your basement is at a 50% maximum, your basement may not need a dehumidifier.
Check out our basement dehumidifier review.
Conclusion
You don’t need to break the bank to protect yourself from molds. You should take your health seriously by preventing the regrowth of mold from the home.
We covered this step in the information above.