How to Get Rid Of Mold in Basement | Use These 8 Methods Right Now!

Mold can grow anywhere. But they especially love humid and dark environments. This means that in all parts of your home, a cellar is an ideal place for mold. Your basement is their little sky, and even if your basement looks dry, mold and mildew can still hide behind walls and carpets, as well as under your furniture. In this guide, you will learn how to get rid of mold in basement.

What Causes Mold in the Basement?

For mold spores to grow and spread along the basement walls, you need the right conditions for reproduction. Mold can grow in many ways, which includes:

Excessive humidity

Excess moisture from condensation or leaking foundations creates the perfect combination of oxygen and moisture for mold growth. There’s no way for mold to thrive and survive without moisture now that you’re versed in mold 101. You can likely anticipate what the causes would be. Condensation can also occur due to stored electrical appliances or poor ventilation. The accumulated condensation eventually creates a very humid environment that supports the growth of mold.

Leaks

Leaks can occur due to pipe rupture or defective foundations. Sometimes it is caused by ageing and occasional maintenance. The hydrostatic pressure caused by the rise in the groundwater level will also cause the foundations to leak, leading to leakage from the cellar. Water heaters can sometimes also leak. Significant flooding can occur in a complete failure of the water heater, leading to excessive humidity in your basement.

Flood

Floods are one of the main causes of mold growth in the basement. Floods cause large amounts of water to accumulate, resulting in hydrostatic pressure. This, in turn, leads to leaks, moisture and growth of mold.

Sump Pump Failure

The sump pump draws water from the pit to the building, which keeps the basement dry and free of mold. If this pump is not properly maintained, it will stop working properly. 

This causes water to accumulate around the foundations, leading to leaks in the basement. This leads to water damage, which is an ideal medium for mold growth. So even though mold isn’t visible to the human eye, if your cellar has any current problems, it’s a good idea to check for it.

You can purchase a self-test kit at a local supermarket or call an expert/technician to perform a test at your home or basement.

How to Get Rid Of Mold in Basement

Mold may be removed from your house and basement in a variety of methods. However, before removing mold, make sure you fix the real problem because mold growth is only a symptom of the underlying problem. You can clean mold with diluted bleach, borax, undiluted vinegar, a baking soda solution, or 3% hydrogen peroxide. This can eliminate leaks, ensure proper ventilation of the basement and ensure the dryness of standing water. According to the CDC, a solution of 1 cup (8 ounces) of bleach to 1 gallon of water is enough to kill mold on surfaces.

Here are some methods you can use to remove basement mold from your home and basement. Use the following things to get rid of mold in the basement;

• Vinegar
• Tea tree oil
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Borax
• Bleach
• Concrobium
• High-efficiency absolute particle vacuum (HEPA)

Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent home cleaner that can also be used to remove mold. To be specific, make sure you consume white vinegar when thinking about using this solution. Just fill the mold with white vinegar and let it rest for two to five minutes. Then you can wipe the shape with a cloth or sponge works on various porous and hard surfaces.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a fungicide and is an excellent means of removing mold from walls and other surfaces. Before using the tea tree oil, mix the oil with water and then shake well to ensure that the solution is mixed properly. Then spray the solution on mold-infested areas and scrape till the mold is destroyed.

Grapefruit seed extract

The grapefruit seed extract is not only excellent for removing mold, but also prevents re-infestation of mold. To use this solution:

• Mix the extract with the same amount of water and apply it to the affected areas.
• Let the mixture rest for a few minutes (five minutes should work wonders).
• Use a sponge or a dry towel to wipe the mold.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a practical and non-toxic solution for removing mold from your home and basement. Mix with water and then spray on affected floors and walls. Let it rest on the mold for ten minutes, and then wipe off any mold and mildew with a scrubbing brush.

Borax

When using it, it is important to mix Borax correctly as the wrong mixture can be harmful if swallowed. Mix One gallon of water and one cup of borax solution. Apply the borax solution to the affected areas and then scrub with a sponge or brush. Borax also fights stale odours with its deodorant properties. After proper mixing, you do not have to worry about rinsing the borax solution from molds and mold-infested surfaces.

Bleach

Bleach is an easy-to-use and affordable solution. After application, you can be sure that it will kill mold and all spores. However, it does not kill the roots of fungi, so they can grow back under favourable conditions. First, clean the condensation pan under the coil of your central AC with a 1/2 percent bleach solution.

The disadvantage of using bleach to treat fungal infections is that it cannot be used to clean fabrics or carpets. It can only be used on hard surfaces like tiles, bathtubs, and other items. It can also be toxic if swallowed. If your cellar is poorly ventilated, you should use bleach carefully.

Concrobium

Concrobium is a non-toxic fungicide approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Although less toxic than bleach, it can be expensive. When applied to areas affected by mold, it kills mold and prevents mold spores from reappearing on properly treated surfaces. Unlike bleaches, it can be used on various surfaces, including wood, plastic, stone, tiles, and other surfaces.

High-efficiency absolute particle vacuum (HEPA)

You can use HEPA vacuum cleaners to remove mold from the walls and make sure that no spores remain after cleaning. In rooms with high humidity, regular vacuuming with the HEPA machine also prevents mold growth.

Instructions on Mold Prevention in the Basement

To prevent the recurrence or growth of mold, you can take the following steps:

• Use a vacuum device to filter and purify the air in your home and basement. The machine filters all the air from the room using a process called air ducts. This process filters out all mold spores that can cause mold growth under the right conditions.
• Eliminate the moisture problem by removing leaks and cracks in the base. If your sump is out of order, make sure it is set up and working again.
• In rooms with high humidity, install a dehumidifier and a humidity sensor to monitor the humidity level. Always make sure that the humidity always remains below 60%.
• Cover the base with materials such as plasterboard and primer. In this way, any rise in surface water levels due to flash floods will not penetrate your base, and therefore your home.
• Buy a mold inhibitor and mix it with the paint you will use to paint the walls of your home and basement.
• Make sure the gutters are not clogged, and all water collects away from the house. Also, ask your gardener to keep the space around your basement off the base of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kills moisture mold?

Install a fan in the bathroom (or at least open the window) to remove moisture. Then, start learning how to get rid of mold by smearing the affected area with a 1/2% bleach solution. When the area is dry, apply white, pigmented alcohol-based shellac, such as Zinsser Bullseye, and use a paint that contains mold.

Does the mold disappear if the moisture is removed?

Disputes can persist for hundreds of years. These permanent spores will last as long as water needs to be found again. Even if you turn off the water or moisture supply to cause mold infestation, it will not disappear. It will still be sleeping there. Always ensure that moisture stays below the 60% range at all times.

Will the dehumidifier rid me of mold in my basement?

Excess moisture in the basement can lead to mold growth and rot, which can be prevented with a basement dehumidifier. Installing a dehumidifier in a basement might also help to enhance indoor air quality.

What can you spray against mold in the cellar?

Fill a clean spray bottle with white vinegar. Then, arbitrarily sprinkle vinegar on all areas, such as cellar walls, shelves, and other hard surfaces with mold. Vinegar kills mold by deodorizing the skin.

What can I spray on moldy concrete?

The best solution is to wipe and clean the affected area with a fungicide such as RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mold Remover or a simple home bleach and water solution. Then, apply a mold-killing cleaning agent such as diluted bleach, undiluted vinegar, or 3% hydrogen peroxide to clean it yourself.

What does mold look like on cement walls?

This occurs when moisture passes through concrete (or other types of masonry) and carries minerals with water. When the water evaporates on the surface, salts and minerals remain and leave crystals growing. It looks like white mold, but it’s just mineral deposits. 

Conclusion

One of the most important parts of your house is the basement. It can be used to add value to your property, such as a living room, kitchen, or entertainment area.

But mold problems in basements are common. So the moldy cellar not only smells of old, dirty, and musty smells, but it is also a source of health problems in every household.