Health Concerns and Moldy Basements

It looks bad… and it is.

Mold growth on basement surfaces can lead to many health problems.

Having a mold infestation in your basement is an unsightly problem. Mold appears as a stain or discoloration on wood, drywall, fabric and other surfaces where it establishes a “colony.” These telltale stains can really detract from a room’s appearance. But beyond the cosmetic problems mold can cause, there is a long list of serious health concerns that mold brings about. Before we get into these health issues, let’s take a closer look at this troublesome organism.

Mold?
Mold is a fungus that reproduces by releasing microscopic spores into the air, where they land on surfaces and multiply if the conditions are right. Mold will grow and thrive in any area that has the following elements:

•    Moisture
A home’s basement can be the perfect breeding ground for mold because of the high humidity levels that prevail in many basements. Moisture can permeate through basement walls. It can also come into the basement through cracks and leaks in masonry walls and floors. A leaky water tank, water heater or washing machines are other common causes of excessive basement moisture.
•    Organic “food”
Any organic compound (i.e. anything containing Carbon atoms) is food for mold. This includes wood, paper, cardboard, paper-faced drywall, fabrics, paint, glue, and many other items that are commonly found in houses.
•    Warmth
The basement is also a nice temperature for mold to thrive because it is heated by the earth below and the house above (although molds can grow in colder temperatures, as you may have noticed when cleaning the refrigerator).

Airborne spores enable mold to spread easily.
While a mold problem may start in your basement, it will not remain there. The natural air circulation of a house starts in the basement and moves upwards by a process called convection. Warm air rises in the building envelope and escapes to the outside, through numerous gaps and cracks. When air leaks out of upper sections of the house, replacement air is drawn into the living space from your basement. This air movement carries mold spores and other pollutants, up from your basement and into every room in your house.

Microscopic spores trigger allergies and respiratory ailments.
There are a number of health problems brought on by ingesting mold. Research has shown that some individuals are more sensitive to mold than others. Sensitivity is greatest in people who are prone to allergies and people with existing respiratory ailments like asthma. The symptoms listed below persist or become more pronounced as exposure time increases.

Short Term Symptoms
•    Sneezing
•    Scratchy throat
•    Rashes or other skin irritations
•    Itchy, watery eyes
•    Headaches

Advanced Symptoms
•    Frequent headaches
•    Chronic fatigue
•    More advanced breathing problems (asthma and bronchitis)
•    Nausea
•    Joint pain
•    Swollen lymph nodes
•    Diarrhea
•    Memory loss
•    Vomiting
•    Hair loss


It’s more realistic to control mold than to prevent it. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is quoted as saying, “There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.”

After a thorough cleaning and removal of all infected elements and traces of mold, focus your efforts on getting rid of the dampness in the basement.

Controlling moisture can start with fixing all leaky pipes and repairing watery cracks and holes in the foundation. Having a perimeter drainage system with a sump pump installed is a sure way to decrease moisture in basements that are prone to flooding.

Encapsulating and sealing a crawl space is a viable means to halt moisture from entering a home too.
Also, having a heavy-duty dehumidifier- preferably incorporated into a basement drainage system- will take the moisture out of the air and keep your below-grade space dry. If you have a problem with mold in your basement or crawl space, it’s smart to enlist the expertise of a basement specialist or mitigation professional.