Wet basement? Wet basement issues
can range from mildly annoying to completely devastating, depending on the flow
of water and how "finished" your basement is. When the water goes
down, the
problem will only get worse when mold begins to grow. A wet basement is something that you should address
promptly, not ignore until a mold issue becomes severe.
The damage done. Dampness and
musty odors are the beginning. Mildew can quickly damage furnishings. Everything
from steel to cotton decays quickly in a damp environment. The bumper crops of
mold and mildew may aggravate the health of someone with respiratory problems.
Termites and other pests thrive in the moist dark spaces of a damp basement.
Toxic mold is becoming an ever-increasing problem in homes and
commercial buildings. Many people have heard of toxic "black mold,"
but other harmful molds exist in a wide variety of forms. Depending on the individual
who has been exposed, mold exposure may cause ill effects that range from minor
annoyances to very serious health issues.
Can Mold Affect
Pets Too?
Substances which can cause an allergic reaction
in dogs are much the same as those which cause reactions in people including
pollens, dust mites and molds. A clue to diagnosing these allergies is to look
at the timing of the reaction. Does it happen year round? This may be mold or
dust. If the reaction is seasonal, pollens may be the culprit.
You may suspect hidden mold if a
building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has
been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be
hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the
top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other
possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with
leaking or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where
condensation forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles
(due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).
Investigating hidden mold problems
Picture
on the left: Hidden mold on the back of wallpaper.
Investigating hidden mold problems
may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves
disturbing potential sites of mold growth. For example, removal of wallpaper can
lead to a massive release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of
the paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, don't try to
remediate yourself. You should consider hiring an experienced professional
instead.
News
about Wet Basements
Picture
on the left: Hidden mold on the back of wallpaper.
