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Getting Rid of Pesky Mould
from: SelfHomeImprovement.comWhen you have a basement living space, mould is going to be an issue. Pretty much, no matter what you do, you are going to get some mould - even just a little of it. So, you need to know how to address the issue, how to get rid of it.
With that in mind, let's look at how we can get rid of that mould. The first step is similar to when you have a sick member of the family: quarantine them! As soon as you spot some mould, you've got to keep it from spreading. So, step one, make sure you wear gloves when around it, and clean your shoes before walking up the basement stairs. You do not want to track it anywhere else in the house! Once spread, it'll grow. As mould spores can drift up to the rest of the house, it's really best to tape the doors shut, and then try to go in and out through any outside door.
Then there's the removal process. You can use things like bleach and vinegar, but good cleansers are really best. If you visit a local hardware store or home improvement store, they can advise you as to the best thing to use. Now, one thing that's critical here is not just cleaning where you can see the mould. Remember, it can be in other areas - just beyond where you can see it - and it can be growing invisibly. So, clean the entire area thoroughly, and then dry it - completely! For this, bring in a dehumidifier, fans, open the door and windows - whatever it takes. After that, a dose of a good disinfectant will help to kill anything lingering in the area, and then dry it off as well.
The final step to dealing with mould is simply keeping it from ever coming back. To that end, you want to keep the basement as dry as possible all the time. If possible, install a dehumidifier and also an air filtration system. Keeping the room dry and preventing any spores from getting in it are both key to stopping mould at the door! With a filtration system, check as to how often you need to change the filters, that's an important point to consider.
If there are any leaky or wet pipes, fix them and/or seal them with insulation. If your area has a high water table, you may have a problem with water intruding up from the ground. So, check on installing a pump to prevent that. If you have your laundry room in the basement, make sure the dryer is vented to the outside. By using all of these steps, you can fight the intrusion of mould.
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