Basement mold

Mold in the basement is a fairly common problem, but do not close your eyes to it. This is not only a cosmetic defect in the room, but also the risk of breaking walls, plus a great threat to your health. Considering such factors, as soon as you notice the first signs of damage to the corners or walls by fungi, immediately ask yourself how to deal with mold in the basement of the house and proceed immediately.

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Why is there mold in the basement?

The main reasons for the appearance of mold in the basement are poor air ventilation and poor-quality waterproofing of the room from closely lying groundwater.

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What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that multiplies very quickly and has great vitality. High humidity in the basement provokes the appearance of dampness, musty air. This environment is most favorable for the birth and intensive development of mold. Therefore, it turns out that mold in the basement has already become familiar to many.

Mold spores produce toxins. Spores travel through the air over fairly large distances. So, even if their source is deep in the basement, this does not give you any guarantees of security from them in the apartment even on the top floor and, especially, in rooms in a private house.

Important! Mold spores provoke a decrease in immunity in people, skin rashes, allergies, and can also cause more serious diseases, including cancer. That is why you must know how to deal with mold in the basement, and take appropriate measures in a timely manner.

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Mold Prevention Prevention Methods

This fungus is not so easy to get rid of. Simply removing mold from the walls and ceiling will absolutely not lead to anything, since it is not only on the surface of buildings, but is eaten deep inside. The sooner you start a fight with him, the more effective the result will be. It is even better to do maintenance work in the basement to prevent this unpleasant phenomenon.

Ventilation

In the basement, in order to avoid mold, it is necessary to ensure good air circulation. To do this, it is enough to install two ventilation pipes: one in the ceiling, the other on the opposite wall, at a height of about 20 cm from the floor. If natural ventilation is difficult to do, then create artificial ventilation by installing an exhaust pipe with a fan.

Important! If a high level of groundwater causes damp in the basement, then waterproofing construction work must be done and the risk of increased humidity should be eliminated.

Ventilation

In the summer warm season, open the basement to ventilate and dry it well. Perform a number of additional actions:

1. Remove all structures and parts from the basement.
2. Wash wooden shelves and dry well in the sun, cover with an antiseptic.
3. Clean metal parts from rust and paint.

Means for the prevention of fungus:

1. Whitewash the walls and ceiling of a basement or cellar with a solution of lime and copper sulphate. It is prepared in the following proportions: 2 kg of freshly slaked lime, 200 g of vitriol and 40 l of water.
2. Hang the branches of mountain ash on the walls and place them on shelves, barrels of pickles, raw vegetables.
3. Put a box of quicklime in the basement. This helps to get rid of excess moisture in the room.

Important! Having done such simple events, you can quickly remove mold in the basement, and henceforth it will appear less often and in a smaller volume.

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The main types of mold, which is most often found in cellars and cellars:

• Mold spots of black, brown, green or blue color most often affect concrete, stone buildings and surfaces treated with low-quality paint. This kind of mold can cause a complete damage to the finish.
• Blue mold is the main “enemy” of wooden buildings. It becomes the cause of damage and decay of the tree.
• White mold is especially dangerous because it moves quickly and spreads to neighboring rooms.

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How to deal with mold in the basement of the house?

Before you fight mold in the basement, you need to prepare for yourself such protective equipment:

• Respirator
• Gloves
• Overalls that protect you from harsh chemicals.

Important! Be careful when handling mold. Do not touch the fungus with bare hands and do not allow mold to come into contact with exposed skin. It has the property of rapid absorption through the skin.

Effective mold control products

If mold has just begun to appear, then the entire room does not need processing. You can simply apply to the problem areas with a cotton pad, or rags, table vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or vodka.

The recipes for processing with such solutions are also tested in practice:

• 1 part of copper sulfate, 1 part of clay and 10 parts of water.
• Chlorine-containing mixtures. Normal whiteness can be used. The solution is made of strong concentration;
• 100 g of vitriol per 1 liter of water.
• Equal parts of bleach, slaked lime and water.
• A solution of white spirit and salicylic acid in a 2: 1 ratio.
• Dilute 950 g of table salt, 50 g of boric acid in 5 l of boiling water. This treatment is repeated at least 5 times.
• 10 l of water and 250 ml of 40% formalin.
• Mold is very susceptible to acids. Therefore, it can be treated with a solution of citric, boric acid. Alternatively, hydrochloric acid may be used.

Important! When using hydrochloric acid, be sure to wear thick rubber gloves and tight protective clothing to avoid chemical burns.

Finishing:

1. Treat one of the indicated solutions with mold-affected areas of the walls, floor, and ceiling.
2. After drying, plaster and whiten the treated areas. With good air circulation, mold will no longer appear.
3. Seal the basement completely - plug all holes and ventilation ducts.
4. Place a piece of sulfur with the calculation of 40-50g per 1m3 of space in any metal or ceramic dishes. Burn sulfur, quickly exit and close the cellar tightly.
5. You can also use ready-made sulfuric saber. Do not open the basement for at least 10 hours. After that, ventilate it well and dry it.

Important! When using this method, you need to be very careful, since the gas released during the combustion of sulfur is very toxic. Use a protective suit and gas mask.

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Stock footage

Mold in the basement is a serious problem that urgently needs to be addressed. Do not put off this business for later. The sooner you notice mold, the easier it will be to get rid of this harmful fungus.