The Problem with Mold in Your Basement

Perhaps you’ve seen it with your own eyes or maybe your nose is tipping you off that you have a mold problem in the lowest level of your home.  It’s not uncommon, basements and crawlspaces are one of the most likely rooms in the home to first experience a mold problem.  Some of the reasons that the lowest level is prone to mold and mildew growth are:

• These rooms are entirely or partially underground and often damp as a result
• The room comes into contact with the soil on the outside
• The area may have had water intrusion issues in the past
• Lower level rooms typically have high humidity levels

We talked about how to prevent mold from growing in a previous blog post.  But if you have confirmation that mold is there or if the lowest level of your home is damp and has that telltale musty, stale or earthy smell to it then you must take action to stop the mold from growing.  Often times we will hear from clients that they were not particularly concerned about basement or crawlspace mold because they didn’t use those areas of the home often enough for it to affect them.  This is an unfortunate misconception because mold growing in your basement or even crawlspace affects the air you breathe throughout the rest of your home.

Experts agree that around 40% of the air you breathe comes up from the basement and/or crawlspace.  This is due to what is referred to as the ‘Stack Effect’.  The ‘Stack Effect’ refers to the upward movement of air into and out of your home.  Whenever the air inside your house is warmer than the air outside the stack effect will occur.  Warm air rises creating an upward movement of air. Air is drawn from deep in the basement and crawlspace up into your living quarters on the second and third floors.  If mold and mildew is a problem in the basement then that unhealthy air that exists in the lower level of your home is being sucked throughout the rest of your house carrying those toxins along with it. 

 If someone in your home is suffering from chronic allergies or respiratory problems, if you discover mold in an area of the house or even if you suspect mold and mildew growth from the smell of a certain room in your home, it must be addressed promptly.  Mold will continue to grow if the conditions are conducive and are not reversed.  Mold problems can affect your health, impede a real estate transaction and destroy the structure of your home or your property if it is not promptly resolved.

According to the EPA, 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause some health effects.   If you have a confirmed or suspected mold problem in your home contact a professional today.  To learn more about mold and how it works or to receive a free quote, visit us online.