Authored by Brandy Burgess in Home Improvement
Published on 10-03-2009
As the temperature begins to warm, the basement tends to stay cool and this is when mold begins to grow. Mold is formed when moisture is formed and this is a very common problem in many unfinished basements. Use these simple tips on how to get rid of mold in a basement.
How to Get Rid of Mold in a Basement: Dehumidifier
Mold forms when warm air meets cold air and moisture is trapped. To avoid this from happening, you must keep the basement free of moisture. To do this, set up a dehumidifier in your basement. The dehumidifier should be the same temperature as your upstairs to maintain a constant temperature throughout the house. This should help avoid the mold from happening in the first place.
How to Get Rid of Mold in a Basement: Bleach and Water
Once you have your dehumidifier up and going, then its time to kill the mold that has already formed previously. To do this, you will need a mixture of bleach and water. Use ¾ cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Put the mixture into a sprayer and spray all of the mold spots. You should only use this mixture on areas that are cement or non porous. You should wear a full facial respirator to avoid breathing in the solution as it can irritate the lungs and eyes.
How to Get Rid of Mold in a Basement: Open the Windows
If you have windows in the basement and it’s warm outdoors, open the window up. This will allow the cold air to be released and the warm air to enter the basement. If your basement doesn’t contain any windows, simply keep the dehumidifier running at all times. Be sure to check it regularly and empty the water collector each day to make sure that its’ doing its job properly.
How to Get Rid of Mold in a Basement: Fix Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes in the basement can cause moisture to build up in the room, resulting in mold. While it may be expensive to fix leaking pipes, its better to seal them than to run a dehumidifier on high the entire summer.
If you have water coming into the basement from the outside, this should also be fixed immediately. This is an additional big cause of unneeded moisture in the basement that can lead to mold. Not only that, but you will need to pump out your basement each time it rains.
How to Get Rid of Mold in a Basement: Remove Infested Materials
Mold likes to eat cellulose so it’s best to remove any materials that mold has attached to in the basement. Materials such as wallpaper, insulation, carpeting and other fabrics should all be checked and removed if possible. These materials do not usually come clean with simple bleach and water and if contaminated, will remain on the fabrics. Dispose of any of these materials in a plastic bag and bring directly outdoors.
Following these methods will not only help get rid of mold in the basement, but will help it to never return.
