Basement Dehumidifiers

Isn’t it just “blech” inducing when you see mold and mildew growing or developing anywhere inside your home?

Molds and mildews are often times used alternately, but what is each specifically? Mold and mildew have many similar characteristics, but they are different types of fungi, and are often different in color and texture. They can sometimes be difficult to tell apart as they both spread out from spores. Mold is often black, green, red or blue in color while mildew is usually gray or white. Yes, they may look filthy but at the same time, they seem harmless – WRONG. Not only is the sight of molds icky and disgusting but it also imposes different health risks such as allergic reactions, tissues irritation, infections and toxic effects due to mycotoxins. You’re making yourself go through these risks without realizing it. Now take a look at your wet basement floor; do you see something which shouldn’t be there?

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Basement Mold Will Grow Even If There Have Never Been Flooding or Leaks.

Many people associate mold in basements with flooding. Although flooding, leaky pipes, leaky roofs and clogged gutters are certainly contributors to mold growth, many times the main culprit is excessive basement humidity. Regardless the air temperature, there will always be cold concrete floors and wall materials that take on the ground temperature of the soil around your home. A damp basement can provide an inviting environment for mold growth. Mold grows the fastest in your basement when there is lots of moisture. It can grow on many surfaces, including walls, floors, carpets, ceiling tile, wallpaper and insulation. 

• Have you ever opened the basement door and noticed the musty smell of your basement even though it looks completely clean?
• No matter how much you vacuum floors and clean surfaces, do you find that the odor is still there?

The most common place for mold growth is beneath carpet, behind drywall and behind insulation. Basement mold grows directly on the concrete floor, cinder block, brick or concrete walls and beneath pipe insulation.

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You just spent all that money to create a finished basement to enjoy and entertain in and now it smells like an old sneaker.

Sound familiar?

Many homeowners who have finished basements soon discover that unchecked moisture and humidity soon lead to foul smelling mildew. Mold and mildew will flourish in areas of your finished basement that are damp, poorly lighted, warm and have weak air circulation.

Mildew is actually produced by molds when there is adequate moisture supply and warm temperatures. Mildew feeds on cellulose material and emits volatile organic compounds (VOC"s) that produce the nasty smell associated with damp basements. Mildew will feed and grow on a variety of surfaces in a finished basement:

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