 Ron Greenbaum, "The Basement Doctor", president of J&D Basement Systems, probes mold and moisture issues in homes:
How can a homeowner determine whether mold is a threat? Start with an awareness of the most common conditions that can lead to the development of mold. Is your basement or crawl space always damp? When you open the door to the basement or crawl space hatch, does it smell moldy or musty? Has there been flooding from leaky pipes, heavy rain or drain back-ups? Does the roof leak? What about evidence of warped floors or ceilings? Have you noticed condensation on windows or walls?
Your first clue may be the pungent odor associated with mold growth. You may also be able to see visible mold growth.  Look for any discoloration, staining or fuzzy growth on furnishings or building materials. Different varieties of mold can be white, gray, black, brown, yellow, green or even fluorescent. It may be necessary to search hidden areas such as beneath floor coverings, behind sink cabinets, and around items that have been stored long-term on cold basement floors. Don't forget to check and clean air conditioning and furnace ducts and filters.
Perhaps a family member is experiencing chronic respiratory problems, sinus congestion, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and what seems to be an "allergic" reaction. These are all typical symptoms of the presence of mold. Of course, individuals have varying degrees of immunity to the effects of mold.
By now it should be obvious that it's vital to be aware of mold in your home. Mold is destructive to your health and even the structure of your home, so measures must be taken to prevent its growth.
Mold is everywhere, indoors and out. You can't prevent some contact with the tiny mold spores that are always in the air, but you can control the indoor environment and eliminate the conditions that favor mold infestation.
How can you prevent mold? The presence of moisture is the primary culprit. It also needs an organic food source, which always available in the home environment.
Logically, eliminating excess moisture is key. Mold doesn't have a chance when humidity levels are kept under 40%. A high quality dehumidifier/indoor air quality system will meet this requirement. Use air conditioning to reduce moisture during humid summer months. Add a mold inhibiting product to paint used in potentially damp areas in the home. Avoid carpet in bathrooms or basements where it can trap dampness. Any roof, basement and plumbing leaks must be repaired, and the area completely dried. Mold can develop in as little as 24 hours. Even the soaked soil in potted plants can provide a foothold for mold.
What should you do if mold is present in your home? For safe and complete remediation, professional treatment is the sensible choice. Mold clean-up is not something to be left to chance and a bucket of suds.
New technology has made mold prevention and remediation a bit easier. In the past it was nearly always necessary to physically remove and dispose of contaminated materials, such as carpet and drywall - a costly and time-consuming procedure. However, in the last decade, peroxide-based cleaning systems have been introduced as a welcome alternative. A two-part cleaning and sealing system effectively cleans and treats even porous materials, so it is no longer necessary to remove carpeting, etcetera, resulting in a drastic reduction in time and replacement costs. The savings to the homeowner in cost, time and labor are nothing short of dramatic.
While mold was once the big, bad, scary monster lurking in your home, its prevention and elimination have been made manageable and affordable thanks to the advanced technology now available.
Forward this article |
To alleviate moisture issues in your basement or crawl space, Basement Systems recommends the SaniDry Basement Air System. The SaniDry can remove four times the water out of the air, while using the same amount of energy as a household 