Preventing Mold Growth in Your Basement or Crawl Space

Water and humidity are not the only things that can destroy your basement or crawl space. Mold is your biggest concern. Not only does it damage your home, but it is also a big health risk.

Mold need four things to grow:

1. Spores (baby mold)
2. Food (organic materials such as paper/wood)
3. Water and high humidity
4. Temperature between 32 degrees and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. (0-43 degrees Celsius)

Mold is a bigger nuisance to homeowners now than in the past. What people many do not realize is that often times, it is the building materials that we use in our homes that promote mold growth that can cause health problems.

Here are a few examples.

1. Drywall: We used to build homes with Plaster walls. There is no paper in plaster like there is in drywall. Paper is “Mold-Candy.” Mold will grow on paper faster than on framing lumber because paper is processed.
   
   
2. Lumber: In the old days, we used old growing trees for lumber. These logs were primarily from heartwood--the inner older wood that is more resistant to  decay. Today we farm fast growing trees for lumber. These tree logs are mostly sapwood. Mold with sugary sapwood are much better than heartwood to use to prevent mold growth.
   
   
3. Particle Board: Today we use a lot of particle board where we used to use 1 x 8 tongue and grove sheathing or plywood.
   
   
4. Air Conditioning: 40 years ago people did not have air conditioning. Now, almost every household has some type of air conditioner. Back then, we opened windows and equalized the temperature between indoors and outdoors. Now, we keep the indoor temperature/environment cooler than the outdoors in the summer.
   

DryZone can help to identify the sources of water in your basement or crawl space and offer custom solutions to combat the damp and wet conditions.  Keeping your basement or crawl space dry is the best method for preventing mold to grow under your home.

We work around Delaware and Eastern Shore Maryland. Wilmington, Georgetown, Salisbury, and throughout the Delmarva peninsula.