|
Basement Mold
These days, we're all looking for an environmentally friendly way of life. Phrases such as 'all-natural' and 'organic' are gracing everything from our food labels to our flowers we're beginning to plant in preparation of the spring months. Still, just because something's a natural part of our environment doesn't make it healthy. Mold that's taken over a basement or other part of a house is a prime example of how damaging a natural process can become.
Most recently, when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts in 2005, no one was prepared for the black mold that began to grow as soon as Katrina moved out. As a result, thousands of homes between Alabama and Texas were deemed uninhabitable and ordered demolished. Mold grows fast in the right environment and is aggressive in its purpose. Most often, the risks to humans include respiratory problems and further difficulties for those with asthma or other respiratory diseases. Those with severe allergies suffer most when in a building or house that has mold growing.
Usually, mold can be found in the basement of a home, where it's dark, cool and damp. The challenge it presents is the absolute eradication of all damp mold and its spores, which can't be seen by the human eye. If even one tiny speck remains after a clean up and is allowed to become wet, the mold will begin its growth cycle once again. If not dealt with, it can easily overtake a house's foundation, wood, concrete and even brick. It breaks these materials down and compromises the integrity of the house's foundation. Unfortunately, complete removal of mold is difficult at best, but certainly not impossible.
If you suspect mold in the basement of your home, a thorough cleaning and complete drying process is the first step you'll need to complete. It may be you will require an internal drainage system to ensure the mold doesn't take over again. Even with a complete cleaning and drying, if the walls or floors are allowed to become damp again, odds are, you'll find yourself right back at square one. It's also important to understand that you simply won't be able to remove all of the spores, since they travel on dust particles; however, you can keep your home dry, which will prohibit growth of the sickening mold.
As devastating as the hurricanes are that strike the coastal areas of the U.S., the lessons gained - especially when it concerns the safety and health of citizens - are vital to better preparations for the next event. Although countless homes were demolished after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the health of those who would have otherwise inhabited these houses far outweighs the loss of these structures.
In the meantime, if there's mold in the basement of your home, getting it cleaned and taking steps to ensure the basement remains dry is the first right move to make. It protects your family and your home. Remember, if left unattended, it can severely weaken your house's structure, thereby cutting its value and possibly resulting in it being declared uninhabitable. | 
