Basement Mold Remediation – Manchester, NH

Do you know what’s in your basement?

In today’s world, many of our lives are characterized by too little sleep, too many bills to pay and wondering where you put your keys- while they are tucked in your pocket. Due to our busy lives, routine household maintenance often takes a backseat and we are unaware of issues, such as basement mold, until they become a major problem. I remember when my husband and I lived in a condo and we frequently got basement flooding whenever it rained. I thought nothing of the issue until I went into the basement one day and our boxes of clothes were covered in that dreaded four-letter word. Like us, mold is enough to make any homeowner cringe, as they envision their bank account depleting just as fast as it took for the mold to spread around their basement like wildfire. To avoid finding more than your holiday decorations and old workout equipment in your basement, the basement mold remediation experts at Soil-Away have provided some helpful guidelines on recognizing and remediating basement mold to the communities, such as Manchester, that utilize their expert services.

What exactly is mold?

Most of us have heard the dreaded four-letter word before, but what exactly is it? Are there different kinds of basement mold, and is it really as unappealing as it sounds? Mold is a type of multi-cellular fungi that is made up of microorganisms, which are mostly composed of dead organic matter such as leaves and plants. While there are over 100,000 types of mold in the world, most of them are harmless, however, any mold-related health concerns should be addressed with your physician. Mold can come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, ranging from white to black, and can affect any area in your home. However, since mold thrives in dark, damp areas with little air ventilation, basements are a top contender for mold growth.
 

What causes basement mold and do I have it?

Since mold enjoys dark, poorly ventilated and temperate conditions, the basement is the ideal location for various types mold to form and colonize including white mold and black mold. Unfortunately, most people do not know they have a mold problem until it has spread or caused other issues, such as a musty odor. The most common factors that cause basement mold are:

• Excessive moisture

  • Condensation
  • Poor ventilation
  • High humidity

• Water Damage

  • Flooding
  • Leaking pipes
  • Sump pump failure
  • Hot water tank failure

While mold can be well-hidden throughout the basement, there are some telltale signs that your basement may have become the new breeding ground for this fungi. A few common signs of basement mold are:

• A musty odor
• Visible mold growth (these may appear as small areas of dirt or soot)
• Health symptoms resembling allergies (sneezing, watering eyes, etc.)

Visit the CDC to learn more about the causes and signs of mold.

Basement Mold Remediation by Professionals

If you suspect that your home has mold, contact the Soil-Away basement mold remediation experts right away at 603-641-6555 to remediate the mold from your home. To help prevent mold growth in the future, a few helpful tips to keep in mind are:

• Using a dehumidifier in poorly ventilated or moisture-prone areas, such as basements, garages and attics, can reduce the amount of moisture in these areas.
• Using silicate concrete sealers may prevent moisture build-up on walls and floors.
• Attempt to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to reduce mold growth.

Visit EPA to learn more about preventing mold and also the IICRC to learn about the S520 industry standard of care for remediation
Soil-Away is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the communities from Manchester to Meredith, and many places in-between, for the last 25 years. We are always here to help you, regardless of whether it is a grill fire or flood cleanup, we are here for you! Got an emergency? Contact our office at 603-641-6555.
Written by: K. Gnatowski