For many homeowners, a basement is not only a structural foundation but rather a full physical space to occupy. This space can be as basic as an unfinished cellar with basic amenities to a fully redone, top to bottom, living space, or even an in-law apartment. In any case, a basement is still considered part of your house and is subject to environmental interferences that become hazards if left free to thrive.
While some conditions may be unavoidable, others are certainly preventable. While there are many potential hazards that can occur in the basement, the biggest silent killers are mold and airborne allergens. While these hazards may not do any structural damage to your basement, they can create serious health problems if left untreated. So here are some preventative techniques you can do to prevent mold and allergens in your basement.
Dehumidifier
The essential ingredient for mold to grow is the presence of any moisture so a dehumidifier is an easy preventative tool to invest. While some moisture is obvious like a plumbing leak, the hardest to see moisture content is water vapor. In the summertime, air tends to carry a lot more humidity, and when water vapor reaches cooler temperatures such as a basement, this vapor will condensate on surfaces and thus introduce water into your basement surfaces.
Replace Carpeting
Traditionally, people were favorable to having carpets in basements, because, in the wintertime, carpets did a better job of retaining heat against the cold concrete floor. However, in the summertime, carpets can be damaging because they are perfect surfaces to absorb moisture and thus grow mold. Therefore its recommended you replace any carpeting and resort to a hard surface.
Removing Mold Immediately
If you ever come across a small area of mold, don’t act like it’s no big deal. The reality is that mold can easily spread amongst any surface as long as its constantly introduced to moisture. If you see moisture, you should contact a mold removal professional to prevent widespread moisture growth.
Fix Cracks in the Foundation
While some foundational cracks may not be the cause for structural concern, the reality is that any foundational crack is an opportunity for humid air or outside water to penetrate into your basement. This is an easy opportunity to introduce moisture into your basement and accelerate mold growth. Any visible cracks should be addressed.
Fix Plumbing Leaks
Unfortunately, plumbing leaks do happen, and when they do, the odds are water will spread across your entire basement floor. This causes significant water damage, but more so can trap water into your basement floor. Concrete is a porous material meaning water can penetrate into it, however, ground pressure may keep water in the pores of the concrete, potentially seeping back through the top. This can be a dangerous source of mold growth, so it’s important to hire a professional if you ever have a plumbing leak.
If you suspect or know of a potential mold problem in your basement, please don’t hesitate to call Toledo Basement Repair. We offer a free estimate on any waterproofing and mold mitigation needs and 10% off your next service. We also understand the Covid-19 virus is affecting us all and want all of our customers to know we are taking EXTRA safety pre-cautions during this difficult time.