Preventing Basement and Crawlspaces Mold

By MyVine | August 7, 2011

Mold is a very typical basement and crawlspace dilemma. Mold presents a real challenge in managing the air quality in your home or business and may lead to allergies and other diseases or irritations. Usually moist and humid, basements are in many cases utilized as a storage spot, providing optimal growth conditions for molds.

 

There are two essential elements to basements and crawlspace mold prevention:

 

1. Controlling Humidity Levels

 

The first and most important step in mold prevention is to humidity management. At first, you will have to measure the humidity levels in your basement to detect any unusual readings. Take dampness measurements periodically and track any changes that may arise as the weather changes.

 

If humidity level readings are greater than 45 percent, your basement will probably grow mold especially as it get warmer. To avoid mold growth you must take action to detect and repair any water sources to lower the humidity levels.

 

Routinely inspect your basement for any water damage to detect noticeable or concealed moisture sources and act quickly to fix problems such as leaks or standing water. Another way to manage humidity is to allow ample air circulation in the basement. If possible, open windows and doors f occasionally to freshen the air in your basement. If you cannot open doors or windows, try using a fan to circulate air .

 

Consider running a dehumidifier in the basement to minimize air moisture particularly during more humid months. Newer dehumidifiers can be programmed to start automatically as soon as the humidity level rises above 45 percent.

 

2. Smart Storage

 

By organizing your basement and crawlspace you take another important mold prevention step. Try to stay away from storing papers and clothes in the basement because these materials can be used as nutrition for molds permitting it to spread even faster if humidity levels rise above 50 percent.

 

Consider leasing a storage unit in a storage facility to keep personal belongings that are not frequently used. If you need to move many items out of the basement, you may want to think about hiring a moving company and save on a moving and storage package deal. Be sure to confirm that your things will be stored in a climate-controlled warehouse or storage facility.

 

If you must store your items in your basement, do your best to reduce the amount of these stored items and toss any badly damaged items. In addition, make sure to place them correctly. Proper placement means that you need to store them away from outer walls, since that is where moisture is most likely to originate. For the same reason, raise stored materials from the floor and place them on a table or other raised areas to avoid water damage in case your basement is flooded.

 

Never store firewood in the basement or crawlspace because it is common for firewood to become moldy within hours from the minute humidity levels rise. When firewood becomes moldy, it produces airborne mold spores that may contaminate your indoor air quality and, in some cases, penetrate the HVAC system and contaminate your home by traveling through your ducts.

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