What You Should Know About Basement Mold Removal in Northern PA
The basement is one of the areas of the home that is most susceptible to mold, because there is likely to be moisture, combined with darkness and a lack of attention paid to cleaning and maintenance (compared to other parts of the home). Therefore, when engaging in mold inspections and remediation tasks, it is important to place a special focus on basement mold removal in northern PA.
Moisture in the basement can come from a variety of sources, including leaks through the foundation, leaks from washers and dryers, humidity or leaks from pipes and plumbing, etc. If you notice signs of mold, it’s important to act fast because, when left unchecked, mold can wreak havoc on structural components of your home and potentially cause some significant health issues.
Here’s an overview of what you should know.
Sources of mold and what to do about them
One common source of mold is condensation. High humidity plus the cooler temperatures in the basement can result in condensation forming on metal pipes and on concrete floors. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure you constantly have a dehumidifier running, and if you put flooring down on top of concrete, use a vapor barrier to protect against that moisture.
For basements that flood, this flooding is also a major source of mold. Water and moisture that stick around in the basement even after other rooms have dried will more likely lead to toxic black mold formation, especially in materials that absorb moisture, like cardboard, drywall and carpets.
If you’ve had flooding in your home, you should make a point to get in touch with a mold remediation company and water damage specialist that is capable of cleaning up and fully drying out your home. There’s only so much you can do yourself—remove standing water as much as possible, and use fans and dehumidifiers to hasten the drying process. Remove wet materials and throw out whatever isn’t salvageable. But working with professionals gets you access to industrial-strength equipment that will make it significantly easier for you to fully dry out the space.
You might also have water that gets into your basement as a result of landscaping. Make sure the ground is sloped away from your house—otherwise, you’ll constantly have water rushing close to the foundation and potentially causing moisture issues in your basement. If you have water seeping in through the walls, you might need to have a professional waterproofing team handle the issue. Make sure you seal up cracks using a special waterproof filler for concrete walls.
Mold removal is something you must seriously prioritize if you are to protect your home from damage and keep yourself and your family safe from the negative health effects of toxic mold. To learn more about the various mold remediation tactics that are best suited for basements and get more information about professional basement mold removal in northern PA, contact the team at Ahold of Mold Environmental today. We look forward to assisting you!
Categorised in: Mold Prevention
