how do i get rid of mold in a basement?

[Lifer]

basement smells like wet rags and i suspect mold but haven't checked yet.
how do i get rid of it?

 

[TechnoKid]

dehumidifier would be my first option. that or more airflow to the basement. might just be naturally damp, but if it is excessive, get it checked for water leaks and seepage from the ground around the wall. May have to put a waterproof layer on which can get expensive since they have to dig to the floor level of the basement to apply it to the exterior.

 

[Lifer]

is a dehumidifier a remedy or preventive maintenance?
is it too late if the mold has already started growing?

 

If you dehumidify the basement, the mold will likely recede. If that doesn't work, then call in a basement refinishing company and see what they say.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Cleaning it will only help temporarily. It will continue to grow back until you get rid of the source of moisture.

 

[sixone]

Chlorine bleach and a dehumidifier.

The bottom of our hot water tank rusted off last month, and flooded our basement. The gentleman at Home Depot advised us to get all the water out, then hose it down with a bleach/water mix, then pump that out. Run a dehumidifier non-stop and get as much moisture out as possible. It smelled bad for a couple days, but not anymore. Of course, check for leaks first, because nothing will work well if you have a constant source of moisture.

 

[FoBoT]

spray vinegar on the mold

 

[TechnoKid]

well the dehumidifier will take most of the moisture our of the air which will help aleviate the dampness which will in turn help prevent mold. I guess the mold would eventually die under these "dry" conditions, however you'd still want to clean it up anyway. So i would use a solution of bleach and water to clean it first in addition to using a dehumidifier. I don't remember the correct ratio of bleach to water to effectifively kill mold. I believe if it is a brick/masonry surface you can also use TSP (trisodium phosphate).

Be carefull though, if the mold is bad mold could cause you health problems if you disturb it.

 

[Lifer]

i would say the source is the humid climate of the northeast in the summer time.
i don't think we have any leaks.

 

[Yzzim]

call your local cleaning company and they'll be able to clean it up for ya.

They'll have an anti-mold/disinfectant they can spray on it to not only stop it, but kill it off.

Unless you have a huge basement, it shouldn't cost too much.

 

[Lifer]

OK, i got a dehumidifier.
do i leave it running 24/7?

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Lifer
OK, i got a dehumidifier.
do i leave it running 24/7?

Yes. Bleach too.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: Lifer
OK, i got a dehumidifier.
do i leave it running 24/7?

Yup

 

[Looney]

Hire a cleaning crew to do it.

 

[Squisher]

After dehumidifying and introducing airflow, a mold remediation company can sell you stuff to kill the mold spores. Chlorine just causes it to go dormant.

EDIT:Type "mold" into the search field

 

[Lifer]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Be carefull though, if the mold is bad mold could cause you health problems if you disturb it.

i suspect my poor health recently could be caused by the mold.
hopefully it isn't permanent damage.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: Lifer
OK, i got a dehumidifier.
do i leave it running 24/7?

Yes. Bleach too.

Bleach kills it. A dehumidifier reduces the habitability of the mold