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Mold in my basement

05:32AM | 08/15/06

Member Since: 08/13/06
1 lifetime posts

Mold in my basement

We have detected in our basement walls some mold (as you can see in attached pictures). It is only present in the east and north side of the house but only where there is dray wall (finished rooms). Those areas where there is no dray wall but insulation I don't see so far any problem. I would like to know what could be the cause of this problem and how can I fixed.

hubeverly

06:01AM | 08/16/06

Member Since: 06/01/06
9 lifetime posts

Hi,

You would want to get rid of that drywall (mold) asap before it spreads more!

Mold feeds on moisture (high humidity) so you want to find where the moisture is coming from.

Article about mold cleanup / Air quality :

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Storm_Ready_Home_Mold_Clean_Up-Cleaning-A2006.html

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Indoor_Air_Pollution__Biological_Pollutants-Safety-A1748.html

Disclamer: I'm no expert but I had to redo my finished basement due to 6" of water. Could see start of mold, but as precausion replaced 4 feet of drywall all around. (8x4 feet sheets of drywall)

Post back images with progress of your fix-up!

Good Luck!

LicensedWaterproofer

02:28PM | 08/16/06

Member Since: 03/05/04
301 lifetime posts

'could be'....

-from humidity level in basement

-condensation occuring behind drywall

-some moisture entering THROUGH Outside of basement wall, maybe NOT enough water entering to wet carpet/floor but enough moisture to cause mold.

Billhart

02:34PM | 08/17/06

Member Since: 04/25/05
1918 lifetime posts

http://www.buildingscience.com/resources/homeowner.htm

Read the sections on mold and on basement insulation.