Mold in my basement

11/23/2018 (Permalink)

Several times a week during this humid rainy summer we get called to inspect a basement with apparent mold growth primarily on furniture, clothing, and some of the drywall or paneling. With no apparent water damage, homeowners are stumped as to why they have mold. Here are some common factors in these outbreaks:

1. Homeowners don’t go down to the basement much anymore.
2. Humidity control by dehumidifier or central air conditioning is absent.
3. If air conditioning is available, many times the vents are closed.
4. Very little direct light and little or no air-flow.

 So if you have a basement that does have air conditioning, make sure you leave the vents open during the summer heat and humidity even if you don’t use the space often.

If you don’t have AC, put dehumidifiers in the space and use the manufacturer’s recommendations as to how much space the unit will handle. You may need more than one. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a fan running to circulate the air.