Factors That Contribute To Basement Mold

You may have noticed that one of our specialties at MoldTech is attic mold removal in Vaughan. And while the attic gets a lot of attention, it’s not the only room in your home commonly affected by mold growth. Next to the attic, basements are just as frequently affected by mold growth, and sometimes even more! Mold testing in Vaughan can do a deep dive into your basement’s ecosystem and seek out hidden mold colonies that may affect your whole home. 

What Causes Mold in Basements?

Mold growth indoors is always caused by the excess of one key ingredient: moisture. Water gets into the rooms of your home in many different ways, but the basement often faces a secondary challenge: poor airflow. But let’s start with moisture first. 

Water enters basements through the usual means: pipes, sinks, and drains. Any problem, such as a leak, burst pipe, or condensation, can add excess moisture to the basement environment. Homes that lie in flood plains or have had freak water emergencies may also have an increased risk of basement moisture. 

Airflow plays a role because air movement is the best way to dry up standing water. Picture your basement for a moment — like many, it probably has few small windows and small rooms or piles of stored items blocking off areas. These and other features decrease vital air movement that can cause moisture to linger and humidity to build up. 

Species of Mold

There are thousands of different types of mold that may grow in your home. The basement is home to several, such as: 

• Cladosporium
• Fusarium
• Penicillium
• Aspergillus
• Stachybotrys chartarum

How to Identify Mold

What do you do if you’ve noticed something unusual in the basement? MoldTech’s first recommendation is to call us for mold testing in Vaughan. When you can see mold, there’s usually more growing out of sight behind walls, underneath flooring or carpets, and behind heavy items. A professional mold test roots out all these hidden mold sources so you can eliminate every last spore. 

When using your basement, some of the warning signs of mold include:

• A musty odour. 
• Staining, streaks, or marks. 
• Fuzzy, slick, or wet-looking patches. 
• High humidity.
• Visible water (leaks, drips, floods).

The Dangers of Basement Mold

MoldTech got into business to help families eradicate household mold growth through safe, effective mold remediation. Indoor mold is one of the major causes of allergies, discomfort, and poor health for affected families, and part of the reason it figures so highly is that the signs and symptoms are often mistaken for other common problems like colds, the flu, or seasonal allergies. Mold exposure can cause various symptoms, but did you know it can also affect sleep? What about the health of your skin? Understanding the multiple risks of indoor mold growth is complex, but many of our clients feel immediate changes after their mold removal in Vaughan. If you have concerns about your basement, attic, or any strange patch or smell in your home, contact MoldTech to book a mold test today.