This is video on how I keep my basement nice and dry. I've had this setup in my basement for over 2 years and it's been working great. Some great information on dealing with mold. Click the link for more information.
Mold is a simple microscopic organism that is found almost everywhere - indoors and out. There are hundreds of different kinds of mold in the natural environment. Mold spores are very light and travel easily through the air - this is how people come in contact with them. Mold needs a food source and moisture to grow. Mold food can include wood, paper, drywall, cardboard and other organic-rich materials. Mold can also grow on tile grout and plaster. It is rare to see mold growing on stone, plastic, metal or concrete surfaces. Common moisture sources include leaking pipes and leaking roofs, floods, chronically damp basements and condensation on cold windows and walls. Mold can be many colors (white, black, orange, green, brown), depending on the species present. Mold can be fuzzy or slimy to the touch.
Fixing a Mold Problem
Mold needs water to grow. Removing water sources is the key to solving mold problems. Mold will come back if water issues are not dealt with. The quicker a water problem is fixed, the less chance that there is for mold to become an issue.
Common locations for mold infestations are close to plumbing leaks (beneath sinks, around bathtubs, near toilets). Mold is also commonly seen in poorly ventilated bathrooms on walls and ceilings and on bathtub caulking. Damp or flooded basements can have mold on a variety of surfaces like carpeting, paneling, drywall, cardboard boxes and wooden items like two-by-fours. Roof leaks can lead to mold issues on plaster ceilings and ceiling tiles.
The USEPA recommends that professional cleaning be considered for large moldy areas (greater than 10 square feet in extent). When in doubt about the extent of a mold problem or how to approach a clean-up, consult a professional mold removal company.
Prior to cleaning mold, it is important to check with a physician if there are any existing health-related concerns like asthma and allergies.
Do not touch mold with bare hands. Do not get mold on your skin or in your eyes. Do not breathe in mold.
Hard surfaces can be cleaned using commercial mold cleaners, which are available at hardware stores. Be sure to follow all label directions regarding ventilation of work areas and the use of personal protective equipment like gloves and goggles.
A bleach and water solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) will also kill mold on hard surfaces. Good ventilation of the work area is essential, as is the use of gloves, eye protection (goggles or face shield) and skin protection (old clothes, coveralls, etc.).
Materials that are moldy and badly water-damaged may have to be replaced. Mold is difficult to clean from soft or rotted wood, cloth, cardboard, paper and other porous materials. Moldy dry wall is hard to clean and may need to be removed.
Damp basements may require added ventilation and/or the use of dehumidifiers to dry them out sufficiently so that mold will not grow. Basements that are chronically wet or subject to flooding are not good for storing clothing, papers, cardboard and other materials that are vulnerable to mold growth.
Ideal relative humidity levels in a dwelling are 30-50%. The use of a dehumidifier may be necessary in rooms with higher relative humidity. Humidity levels can be measured with hygrometers which are available at hardware stores.
Sometimes mold will grow on interior walls of buildings. Usually these are outside facing walls that become cold in the winter and act as condensers for excess moisture from cooking and showers. Mold can grow on these walls if there is poor air circulation (in closets or behind furniture). A good strategy to resolve problems like this (once mold is cleaned) is to keep closet doors open and to pull furniture away from walls which helps increase air movement. Areas known to be vulnerable to this kind of outbreak can be painted with mold-resistant paint for greater protection.
High humidity in bathrooms is another major source of mold. Window fans or ceiling exhaust fans are a good way to get excess moisture out of a bathroom. Cracking a window helps during warmer months. Opening doors wide and using floor fans will get moisture out of a bathroom after showers. Repainting bathroom walls with mold-resistant paint and using mold-resistant caulk is helpful in combination with these other measures.
Water condensation on cold windows can drip on to window sills and cause mold growth. This problem can be solved by occasionally wiping off the excess water from the windows with a rag and cleaning the mold as suggested above.
Mold growth on bathroom surfaces (like caulk) can be delayed by wiping them with a dry cloth after showers, especially in bathrooms with poor ventilation.
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