Mold Remediation In The Basement
By Gayelord Nash
How mold gets into somewhere has little importance once it is actually there. Having mold in a basement can mean bad news for anyone. A dark, damp, cool place is the perfect breeding ground for any type of mold or fungus to grab hold and proliferate. There are some mold remediation tactics that can be employed to help make the basement a worthwhile place again.
If there is mold growing somewhere, there is an overwhelming chance that the area has been exposed to some sort of moisture. Mold loves to grow in environments that have a lot of standing moisture. A small flood could produce the conditions needed for this to happen. So, the first thing to do is to take out as much of the moisture as possible. If there is no moisture around, then there shouldn't be much of a reason for mold to be growing. Once plenty of water has been removed, mold remediation can be well on its way.
It is common for a basement to have bricks or concrete exposed. Unfortunately, mold grows very well in these areas and it is very hard to take them out. Good for us that there are cleaning techniques that we can use to take them out.
Before mold remediation can happen, let's explore exactly what mold is. Mold is a type of fungus that is living. When dormant, it forms spores that can come back to life years later once the right conditions have been met. Mold likes to have water in order for it to grow.
Now that we know what it is, let's get rid of it. The mold remediation arsenal has many different tools to get rid of moisture, spores, or the mold itself. Let's go with moisture. Getting the water out of area and keeping it dry is most important to getting rid of it in the first place and preventing another outbreak later on. Drying the basement with fans and heaters is good for walls that may have taken on some water. When trying to clean the area, don't use water. This may seem strange to not use water when most would use soap and water. Instead, use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and zinc oxide paste with a small brush.
The brush can be used to get into the crevices in the rock. Alcohol will evaporate leaving very little water behind, around 20% of the volume. Zinc oxide is an anti-fungal cream that is typically used for diaper rash. When the three are combined, the alcohol puts holes in the cell wall, the brush loosens the mold and the paste provides a long lasting barrier from happening again. This is the most effective tool in mold remediation.
- After fixing the mold problem, make sure that the basement is sealed properly from taking on any moisture from rain or humidity. If you live in a very humid region, consider running a dehumidifier once a week or so to keep the basement mold free.
Keep these tips in mind when doing your own mold remediation. Take your time and keep vigilant in preventing future mold outbreaks. Mold will sometimes stay around for a very long time. It may just be sleeping at the moment. If the right conditions come back, then they will wake up and make your basement smell awful again. Don't give them a chance to grow in your home again.
About the author
Gayelord Nash shares info on flooding and fire for Water Removal Service Pocantico Hills, NY and Mold Remediation from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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