Mold in basements and crawlspaces is a very common problem that can be a real challenge in controlling the air quality in your home or business, and may lead to allergies and other diseases. Damp, humid basements are often used as a storage area, providing optimal growth conditions for molds.
There are two important aspects for preventing basement and crawlspace mold.
1. Controlling Humidity Levels
The first and most important step in mold prevention is humidity control. To tell if you're at risk, you will have to measure the humidity levels in your basement to detect any unusual readings. Take moisture measurements periodically and try to keep track of any changes that may occur as the weather changes.
If humidity levels are higher than 45 percent, your basement is likely to grow mold, especially as it get hotter. To avoid mold growth you must take action to detect and fix any moisture sources in order to lower the humidity levels.
Regularly inspect your basement for any water damage to detect visible or hidden moisture sources and act fast to fix problems such as leaks or standing water. Another way to control humidity is to allow adequate air circulation in the basement. If possible, open windows and doors from time to time to refresh the air in your basement. If you cannot open doors or windows, try to circulate using a fan.
Consider running a dehumidifier in the basement to reduce air moisture especially during warm months. Newer dehumidifiers can be programmed to turn on automatically when the humidity level rises above 45 percent.
2. Smart Storage
Organizing your basement and crawlspaces is another important mold-prevention step. Try to avoid storing papers and clothes in the basement because these materials can be used as nutrition for mold, allowing it to spread even faster if humidity levels rise above 50 percent.
Consider renting a storage unit in a storage facility to store personal belongings that are not frequently used. If you need to move many items out of the basement, you may want to consider hiring a moving company and save on a moving-and-storage package deal. Be sure to confirm that your items will be stored in a climate-controlled warehouse or storage facility.
If you must store your belongings in your basement, try to limit the account of stored materials and discard any badly damaged items. In addition, make sure to place them properly: store them away from outer walls, because that is where moisture is most likely to originate; for the same reason, raise stored materials from the floor and place them on a table or a raised surface to avoid water damage in case of a flooded basement.
Never store firewood in the basement or crawlspace because it is common for firewood to become moldy within hours once humidity levels rise. When firewood becomes moldy, it generates airborne mold spores that may contaminate indoor air and in some cases penetrate the HVAC system and contaminate your home by traveling through your ducts.
