How To Remove Mold From Concrete Basement Walls

How To Remove Mold From Concrete Basement Walls – Confession: While talking about our house hunt with family and friends, we mentioned that our new house would be called “Moldy’s Basement House.”

Anthony and I were looking for a full purpose remodel, but the mold problem seemed like a can of worms that we didn’t want to get into. If you’ve watched any house hunting TV shows, you know that the slightest hint of mold strikes fear into the hearts of most home buyers. For many people, finding a mold is a quick fix when buying a new home. Fortunately, we had a trusted real estate agent with decades of experience renovating, flipping, and living in older homes who told us the following:

How To Remove Mold From Concrete Basement Walls

The trick to getting rid of mold problems is to find the source of the moisture and stop it. After that, only cleaning remains.

Eliminate Concrete Mold

After some careful testing and research, we decided this was something we could handle. Today I’m going to talk about how we identified the source of the moisture problem, why it wasn’t a deal breaker, and how we can keep it from coming back. Tomorrow I will share the simple and easy way we removed mold and mildew from the basement. So if you’re thinking about buying a “fixer top” or already have one, check back tomorrow to read about what we’ve been up to.

Since there was so much he liked about the house, we decided to arrange a second showing to get our dad’s opinion on the basement situation. Here’s what we came up against:

In that second exhibit, we explore the high and low basement. Since our house was a foreclosure that had been winterized (ie all utilities were turned off and pipes drained) we knew there were no active pipe leaks that could be causing the moisture problem. So we looked for evidence that water could be coming in from the outside. Renew Services Home Group wrote a great post about the most common types of basement leaks, their causes, and what to fix. Read the full article here.

There didn’t seem to be any leaks that were causing the moisture problem, so we determined that moisture was the root cause of the mold. There are several reasons why basements are damp and damp. Of course, if you have a basement with pools of standing water, you can expect to experience dampness, but there are other factors that cause dampness that have nothing to do with leaks. For example, the most common cause of indoor humidity is moisture that seeps through the concrete foundation and then evaporates. Also in the hot, humid months, condensation typically forms on cold concrete walls and floors, which also evaporates and increases humidity levels. When you combine this with the fact that our house has been closed for over two years without ventilation, it’s easy to see how the mold problem has developed.

How To Cover Concrete Walls In A Basement

So, after we found the source of the moisture problem (humidity) and considered a solution (getting some moisture), we realized that this was not going to stop us. In addition, the walls of the basement were mainly concrete and damp-proof panels, such as plasterboard. The cleanup only required a little bleach, water, and elbow grease, but if the entire basement was riddled with sinkholes, it would have cost a whole lot more to repair.

After we got the house and the dryers had been running for a few days, the basement was already drier. The only problem with dryers is that you have to drain the water that accumulates regularly or they stop working.

We solved this problem by running one of the dryers to run continuously. We were lucky enough to already have a small bathroom in the basement (which we don’t use). Anthony built this simple shelf outside the bathroom, then drilled a hole through the panels to run a rubber tube through the wall and into the shower, allowing the humidifier to drain continuously.

We effectively stopped the spread of mold and mildew, so we continued to clean. Check back tomorrow to learn exactly how to get rid of mold and see progress photos! Or… you can subscribe to my blog by email and get tomorrow’s post delivered straight to your inbox 😉 We may earn an affiliate commission when you make a purchase through the links on our site. Here’s how it works.

Best Methods For Insulating Basement Walls

If you want to know how to remove mold from your basement, this article will walk you through the tools you need to get rid of it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (opens in a new tab) (EPA), all it takes is a little moisture for mold spores to grow—and it can damage your property and your health.

We’ll explore mold removal methods that can protect your home in the long run, as well as preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of mold growth.

After you’ve successfully removed mold from your basement, it’s important to consider a long-term solution—like purchasing a dehumidifier that will ensure it doesn’t reoccur. To learn more about mold-related air quality issues, check out our features What Causes Damp in a Home (opens in a new tab) and Is Condensation on Windows Bad? (opens in a new tab)

Mold thrives on moisture, so if you suspect it’s growing in your basement, check for leaks and look for condensation around heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units. Also, pay attention to where the basement walls meet the floor for signs that mold has settled in and started to grow.

Wet Basement? Waterproofing Tips From The Pros

Discolored skin, a musty odor, and health symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, or persistent cough are all possible symptoms of mold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in a new tab) (CDC), mold should be removed as soon as possible because it can damage a person’s lungs and respiratory system.

Removing mold from your basement can feel like a daunting task, and if you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to consult a professional who can advise you on the best course of action.

After assessing the problem, the most important thing to do is to treat the source of the moisture and remove the mold from it. Repairs may include fixing a leaky pipe, servicing or cleaning HVAC units, or fixing a crack in a door or window. You can do it yourself with confidence, or you can turn to the experience of a professional master.

The next step is to remove any mold material. “Professionals working under maintenance have to deal with widespread mold problems,” says construction consultant and Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional (CIAQP) Jeffrey S. May. “Once the mold growth is removed, then the affected surface should be cleaned and sealed.”

The No Mold Finished Basement

If the mold is only damaged in a small area, such as a piece of carpet, ceiling tiles, or non-load-bearing wall material, you can remove the material and replace it yourself. However, be sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment, as this process can expose you to potentially harmful spores. Disposable gloves, safety glasses, and an N-95 respirator mask, which filters 95% of all particles, can be purchased at most hardware stores and ensures that you do not inhale airborne spores that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. .

“Failure to properly mold and treat the area afterward can lead to continued indoor air quality problems—and therefore mold hazards—so it’s very important to get rid of basement mold as soon as you know it.” May said. .

Therefore, it is important to remove any material that has been damaged by mold so that it cannot be replaced. To wash walls, floors and other hard surfaces, use a bleach solution of one cup of bleach per gallon of water or any household cleaning product, as well as disposable sponges. This kills the mold and prevents the spores from spreading to other areas of the house. In addition, in order to reduce the level of humidity in the basement, you can use a humidifier to dry the excess moisture.

May says the best way to prevent basement mold problems is to dry out basement moisture and prevent water ingress. According to EPA recommendations (opens in a new tab), you should aim to keep indoor relative humidity (RH) levels below 30-60%, and a humidifier is a long-term solution that can help with the problem. this .

The Experts Guide To Preventing Mold In Basements

“Relative Roman can be measured with the above calculator (opens in a new tab).

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