Why is There Mold in My Basement?

Basement solutions for your wet basement.

One of the most common rooms for mold to grow is your basement. But why? To begin, mold loves dark and wet spaces. Basements are typically darker than other rooms in the house because they are underground. Even if you have egress windows or part of your basement is considered above-grade, there is still less sunlight penetrating this space versus other areas of your home. There is often less ventilation and humidity here, as the air and any moisture become trapped within the four walls of your basement. As moisture becomes trapped in dark places – you guessed it – you now have mold!

So, where is all the moisture coming from anyway? The Pittsburgh Drain Guys have an idea what’s going on in your wet Pittsburgh basement. So, let’s look at what’s going on in your wet basement.

Like peanut butter and jelly, wet basements and mold go hand-in-hand. Dark, wet spaces are a breeding ground for this hard-to-get-rid-of fungus. Here are a few places you may find mold.

While uninvited, mold doesn’t just show up to the party! Something is causing mold to grow, so determining what that is, is the best way to stop and prevent it from recurring in the future.

1.      Controlling Humidity. It’s best to control humidity in your basement if you want to control the growth of mold. Keeping your basements moisture level below 55% is ideal. If you have high moisture levels in your basement, use a dehumidifier to dry it out, or use fans to circulate the air.

2.      Wet Basement Walls and Floors.  Cracks in your foundation promote water seepage. Basement waterproofing techniques, like sealants and fillers, can be used to fill the cracks to prevent any outsides water from getting in.

3.      Stay Calm & Keep Clean.  You spend an hour (or more) to keep your bathroom in tip-top shape and free of mold. Treat your basement with the same TLC. Your basements are easy to neglect because it’s “out of sight, out of mind”. But, keeping a clean basement by cleaning it regularly and sweeping with a HEPA filter vacuum will help control mold growth – and those creepy spiders and thousand-leggers. EEK!

4.      Landscaping. Groundwater is another big issue that creates a wet basement. The earth around your foundation should be sloped away from your house. Either that, or there should be ample drainage via a landscaping drainage system. Sloping the ground or installing a draining system at your foundation is your best bet at solving your wet basement issues.

Basement Waterproofing. Pittsburgh Drain Guys are experts in interior or exterior waterproofing. We can help control any condensation or water seepage issues by installing an all-encompassing waterproofing membrane in your basement. Learn more about  basement waterproofing  here.

Pittsburgh French Drains.  Sometimes your wet interior is caused by a lack of  exterior drainage. While your yard should be sloped, over time things may have settled. A French drain is a drainage system built to divert water away from your foundation. Installing an interior or exterior French drain is a great wet basement solution.  Click here to learn more about Pittsburgh French drains.

Before the  growing  gets tough – The Pittsburgh Drain Guys can tackle any mold or basement water issues you are experiencing. From Pittsburgh French drain installation to basement waterproofing – we do it all! Call or text us anytime – 412-377-9133

Why is There Mold in My Basement?

Pittsburgh Drain Guys