Before we deal with how to get rid of mold let’s talk about what exactly it is.
Mold is a microscopic organism that will grow on nearly any surface such as wood, hay, wallpaper, carpeting, insulation, concrete walls and floors and even household plants. It can even grow inside the duct pipes in your home, office or school. Almost all types are not noxious…All the same; the toxic black stuff is extremely harmful.
Studies have shown that fungus is associated with some serious health issues like allergies, cancer, asthma, breathing problems, headache, rashes, etc… Stachybotrys mold can bring on fatal pulmonary disorders. That’s why it so important that you know how to find mold in your house and more importantly…How to identify that mold.
The greater amount in your environment and the longer it’s been there, the more important the effects can be. If you are seeing any of these circumstances in your home, you might be at risk.
- Carpeting or underlay directly on top of concrete slab with no visible vapor barrier.
- Cracks between the tile or caulking in the bathroom.
- Your basement or crawlspace is very damp.
- Staining or visible black spots on walls.
- Musty smell in your house.
- Poorly kept or dirty air conditioning or heating vent pipes.
- Visible water staining on walls or ceiling.
Here is How to Get Rid of Mold in The Basement.
- 1 Determine which kind of mold you have. You can buy test kits at most home building centers, hardware stores, and online. By putting the test trays from the kit in locations where you suspect you have mold, you can get a sample and mail it to a lab for analysis. This is a simple way to identify the mold present. Mold spores can be dislodge or released into the air by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a chair where mold is present. Consequently, you should user rubber gloves and a dust mask, when touching anything that’s questionable since it could be black mold.
- 2 Eliminate the source of mold. Moisture is the primary reason for the mold growth. Fix any water leaks in the basement by waterproofing the walls and floor. Seal around the shower or any place where water could get behind. Seal your basement walls with a good concrete sealer. Painting the surface will not remove the musty smell the basement or mold from growing back. Lower the humidity in with a dehumidifier.
- 3 Bleach will only temporarily get rid of mold. Use an antifungal agent to remove mold from the surfaces. Remember to protect your lungs, eyes and skin during this cleaning process. By following these 3 steps can reduce the amount of mold and fungi and finally get rid of mold in the basement and provide you and your family with a healthier environment. Not sure if you have mold? Don’t take chances with this deadly and many times unseen risk. There are many home mold test kits that you can use to determine if you have mold.
