How To Kill Mold

Proven Basement Mold Removal Methods

The discovery of molds in the basement is sure to come as a shock to home owners. Although basement molds may seem to be partly useful due to their harmfulness to bugs such as cockroaches and spiders as well as rodents such as mice and rats, these molds are also harmful to humans as well. Molds can cause allergies and discomfort including constant sneezing and unwanted smell. Because of the speed of mold growth in dark areas of the home like basements, proper basement mold removal methods should be practiced.

The first step is to know what molds look like and how they are produced. Molds appear as black, white, or bluish spots and can be found in damp and dark environments. These molds can grow in material like wood, tiles, wallpaper, cement, and insulating materials. As long as the material has the necessary moisture content, these molds will continue to grow unless they are removed.

The next step is to find the source of the moisture. Molds will not grow when there is no moisture, therefore the source of the molds must be eliminated before continuing with the removal process. The most common source of moisture in basements is leaking pipes. Not only do these pipes cause the continued growth of basement molds, they also waste water.

Furthermore, windows that are not shut tightly can allow moisture to come in the basement. This is especially true during the rainy season where even a small amount of rain can cause moisture to build up in the basement if its openings are not sealed tightly. A good indication of moisture is the appearance of liquid marks.

The third step is to carefully remove the sources of the mold. These can be paper, cardboard, or wooden materials where mold spores thrive the most. However, a breathing mask and gloves should be used when conducting mold removal to make sure that the mold and molds spores do not come into contact with the skin or go inside the nostrils.

The fourth step is to apply the mold remover chemical to the walls and other parts of the basement where the molds grow. A good type of mold and mildew remover is the combination of chlorine bleach and water. Chlorine bleach is an effective sanitizer. This is why it can fade colors from fabrics as well as ruin them. However, this type of cleaner can become poisonous when mixed with other chemicals. A good alternative is oxygen bleach. It is non-toxic and does not ruin fabric.

After the application of the chemical, the basement should be dried with a towel and a dehumidifier. The portions that had been grown with molds can then be repainted as long as no signs of molds are present anymore. Paint will peel off if the applied surface has molds.

Lastly, basement mold removal is not permanent. Molds are bound to grow again if the basement is not monitored. As a preventive method, the basement should be constantly checked for high moisture levels or leaks. At the first sign of initial mold growth, it should be dealt with immediately to prevent the spread of the mold spores.

Tags: basement mold removal, get rid of mold, how to clean mold, kill mold

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at 3:55 pm and is filed under Mold Removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.