Prepare your basement to be your dream space

A basement can be an amazing area of a home. A friend of mine converted his basement into a games room come party space with a bar area, and included a guest bedroom and en-suite bathroom. If you’re lucky enough to have a basement, you might decide to create a home office or family room. Other popular uses include music rooms, playrooms and craft rooms. Perhaps it could be converted into a separate apartment, and provide an extra income source. 

Whatever you decide to do with your basement, mold may be a common problem. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to remove mold from basement walls.

Why do basements suffer from mold?

Mold thrives in environments that are dark, damp and humid. To eliminate mold growth, you need to eliminate these ingredients. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels below 50%, and make sure that any leaks are fixed. Use extractors to remove steam from bathrooms. If possible, let natural daylight in by installing windows and skylights.

If you still have a mold problem, then use the following method to remove mold from concrete basement walls and prevent it from returning.

Cleaning mold from basement walls so it doesn’t return

Before you start the clean-up, make sure that you have gloves, goggles, overalls and a respirator. The most common form of mold on basement walls is black mold, which multiplies and spreads quickly. It’s also a health hazard, with its spores particularly bad for those suffering from asthma or other respiratory conditions. Suitably attired, follow these steps:

• Create a solution of 1 part of bleach with 4 parts warm water

• Soak a stiff brush with the solution, and scrub the mold away

• Let the walls dry

• Rinse the wall with cool water, using a clean brush to do so

If the problem has spread, you may have to remove mold from carpet – or even remove the carpet from the basement. Other items of furniture and soft furnishings will have to be treated, too.

Once all the mold has been removed, put into action the following steps to ensure it doesn’t return:

1. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation and circulation. If it’s possible, encourage a flow of fresh air through the basement.

2. Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity below 50%.

3. Use UV lights, especially in basements that don’t have natural light. Run them for several hours a couple of times a week, while you are using the basement.

If you don’t feel confident preparing your basement for a new use, get in touch with Porter’s Cleaning today. We’ll be happy to quote you to eradicate and prevent mold in your basement, and give it a new lease of life.

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