Smelly Basement? Maybe It Has A Mold Problem

If your home's basement smells musty and feels damp, then there is a high probability it has a problem with mold growth. A dark, damp basement is an ideal environment for insidious mold to grow and flourish. If you might have mold in your basement, then here's what you need to know:

Mold Causes Health Problems

Not only is mold growing in a basement smelly and unsightly, but it is also a serious health hazard for your family. Mold spores get in the air inside of your home and exasperate asthma and other respiratory conditions. The only way to ensure your family stays healthy is to locate and permanently remove any mold growing in your basement. However, it needs to be done correctly or the mold will just regrow.

Mold Requires Moisture and Organic Matter to Grow

For mold colonies to thrive they require both moisture and organic material. Any organic material will do. Two of mold's favorites are untreated wood and sheetrock. Both of these things are often found in basements.

The Leading Causes of Basement Mold Growth

Ultimately, getting rid of a mold problem requires you to locate the source of moisture and eliminate it. Without eliminating the water source, mold will start to regrow nearly immediately.

The leading causes of basement mold growth include:

• flooding
• excessively high humidity
• water intrusion from outside
• water from a plumbing leak
• appliance condensation

Often, unsealed basement walls shift from normal ground movement and form small cracks in their mortar. When it rains, water seeps into the cracks, gets trapped in the basement, and feeds mold.

How to Know if Your Basement Has a Mold Problem

There are three different ways you can tell if your basement has mold:

• test it yourself by using a DIY mold test kit
• test suspected areas with bleach and a probe
• have your home professionally inspected by a damage contractor

DIY mold test kits are available at hardware stores and are simple to use.

You can dip a cotton swab in bleach and rub it onto the moldy spot. If the spot changes color, then it is likely mold. Dirt won't change colors when subjected to bleach. Alternatively, you can probe potential moldy areas with a screwdriver. If you press the tip of a screwdriver into the sheetrock and it feels soft or crumbles, then mold is likely a problem.

Finally, if you aren't sure if what you are seeing is mold or if you want a professional opinion, then hiring a damage contractor to inspect the basement is ideal.

For more information about mold removal, contact a local contractor. 

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