Basements are the perfect place for mold to grow: they can be dark, damp, and out of sight. But what are some specific causes of basement mold to look out for? Here are five common causes of basement mold.

• Cracks in floors or walls. A crack in your basement floor or walls could allow rainwater into your basement. Even a small amount of water can be a great habitat for mold growth, especially if you don't see it and promptly clean it up. Mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours, depending on the type.
  
  
• Flooding. Even without cracks in your floor, basements are the most likely part of your home to flood, because they're underground near the water table. If the sealing on your floor fails, or your pump systems don't pump water away from your home fast enough, your basement could flood during a storm. Floods lead to significant water damage that's hard to dry quickly enough to prevent mold. One way to prevent future floods is to invest in basement waterproofing.

• Faulty sump pump. A malfunctioning sump pump can lead to a flood, which can easily lead to mold. Sump pumps pump water away from your home during a storm, and if your sump pump fails, water can easily overwhelm sealing on your basement floors. A new sump pump is a great investment to prevent costly water damage and mold.

• Condensation from appliances. If appliances have improper seals or poor venting, they can generate condensation. For example, a dryer can "sweat" if the moisture collected in the dryer's exhaust system duct leaks back into the dryer. Aside from checking that the exhaust pipes are clear and getting your appliances serviced, a dehumidifier can help reduce condensation near your appliances.

• Poor ventilation. Without proper ventilation, condensation and humidity can build up in your basement and let mold grow. Dirty HVAC filters and clogged air ducts can lead to mold. One way to determine if your basement's ventilation is poor is to get an indoor air quality test. This has the added benefit of being able to detect mold spores in the air!

When Should I Hire a Professional?

Mold can be hard to contain on your own. If you see, smell, or detect mold on an air quality test, you should hire a professional. Another sign of mold is if you get allergy-like symptoms when you go into your basement. You also should get a mold inspection after significant water damage as a precaution.



If you find mold, professional mold remediation is the next step. Professional mold remediators carefully contain mold spores so they don't spread during removal. Then, they thoroughly clean the moldy surfaces, and help you address the cause of the mold so new mold doesn't grow.

BioClean Can Help

At BioClean, we can help with your basement mold problem. Our expert teams can inspect your home for mold. If we find mold, we will start the mold remediation process to stop further mold from growing. Contact us today for a free mold inspection.