Mold in Basement

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Author Message   Yonti2323 Citizen Username: Yonti2323 Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2003 Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 4:13 pm:        I've recently discovered what I think is mold in my finished basement. There are black horizontal streaks on the wooden molding (no pun intended), that don't wipe off. Also, there are green spots on towards the bottom of the walls. They wiped off with liquid cleaner, but came back within a few days. Does anyone have any experience with this, or suggestions about what to do? Thanks.   Maplewoody Citizen Username: Maplewoody Post Number: 289 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 4:27 pm:        GET A DE-HUMIDIFIER FAST! Then clean off the mold/mildew with a product made to do just that! We bought something from Sipersteins, and it works very good! We recently (last weekend) got a nice de-humidifier from PC Richards, and it's taking alot of H2O outta our basement.   Barb Citizen Username: Flannery Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 10:01 pm:        Straight chlorine bleach sprayed on the mold will kill it for a number of months (need good ventilation when spraying it). We bought our dehumidifier at Sears recently and they still had a number of them. Huge difference!   Maplegirl Citizen Username: Maplegirl Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:39 am:        Yonti, Using time wisely is your first step. Acting quickly can really limit your mold problems. I'm not sure how much mold you are dealing with or how long it has been a problem. You will need to know what you’re working with to make an informed decision about what steps to take in regards to mold removal. I suggest accessing, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home” on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html. You can download the PDF from this site as well. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. If you currently have any personal effects near the mold remove them. If they are infested with mold remove them from the damp area and either have them cleaned with an anti-mold agent (unless they are fabric or upholstery) or throw them away. If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Many people try and treat mold themselves and are often very successful. See: Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold: What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/whattowear.html. If you do not remove the entire mold it will come back. If you do not regulate the moisture level it will come back. In my experience this means removing the molding, throwing it away and replacing it once you have cleaned up ALL of the mold. Replace all infested wood with new. You do not want to continue to treat a mold problem over and over you want to stop it. Also, dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed. Because you have on your wooden molding I wonder what is behind the molding. If you have not had a flooding of your basement than you may have very slow water infiltration happening over time. See Hidden Mold at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/hiddenmold.html). At a minimum, Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. A dehumidifier is essential for the basement. Personally, we have choosen to have a professional remove all of the mold from our home and I feel much more comfortable with that. Good luck!   ral Citizen Username: Ral Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2001 Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:53 am:        Maplegirl, can you tell me who you used to remove the mold? Thanks.