Most basements are slightly neglected.
Neglecting to regulate your Relative Humidity level in your basement isn't something that you should continue to do.
Having high RH (relative humidity) in your basement can lead to quick and potentially harmful mold growth.
Your basement environment receives the majority of its air from the soil that comes in contact with your foundation walls.
This air brings with it moisture and water from the outside as well.
Regardless of whether or not you have a vapor barrier and/or a drainage system installed a dehumidifier can help you combat the continuous moisture onslaught.
By regulating the RH levels in your basement between 35-45% you remove the mold's first choice in food.
Molds that populate in basements enjoy dark, moist environments that have organic material to feed on (such as wood, dry wall, paneling, plywood, plaster wall coatings, bookshelves, etc).
Regulation of the RH levels removes one of the key food sources from mold.
Without moisture/water mold cannot survive for long periods of time even when other organic food sources exist.
If you do not regulate the RH values mold can get out of hand very quickly.
Disturbed spores can become air-born and easily migrate up to your 1st and 2nd floors.
With the air quality being affected by the mold in the basement, soon you will notice odors and a "musty" atmosphere at the top of the basement stairs; perhaps even the 1st floor if left unattended to for some time.
Mold spores and byproducts (such as the decaying material it leaves behind) can cause serious allergic reactions in some people.
There are types of mold that can be fatal if not removed properly such as Stachybotrys.
Each mold has a different behavior and, like people, enjoys a different food sources.
If you think you have mold and are concerned about it, running an air filtration style dehumidifier is a good first step.
Regulation and filtration of the RH and the air in the basement are critical to providing adequate protection against mold colonies forming.
For more information on how to combat mold, remove/prevent and clean mold, contact your local basement experts and read more on both the CDC.
gov and EPA.
gov websites.
Neglecting to regulate your Relative Humidity level in your basement isn't something that you should continue to do.
Having high RH (relative humidity) in your basement can lead to quick and potentially harmful mold growth.
Your basement environment receives the majority of its air from the soil that comes in contact with your foundation walls.
This air brings with it moisture and water from the outside as well.
Regardless of whether or not you have a vapor barrier and/or a drainage system installed a dehumidifier can help you combat the continuous moisture onslaught.
By regulating the RH levels in your basement between 35-45% you remove the mold's first choice in food.
Molds that populate in basements enjoy dark, moist environments that have organic material to feed on (such as wood, dry wall, paneling, plywood, plaster wall coatings, bookshelves, etc).
Regulation of the RH levels removes one of the key food sources from mold.
Without moisture/water mold cannot survive for long periods of time even when other organic food sources exist.
If you do not regulate the RH values mold can get out of hand very quickly.
Disturbed spores can become air-born and easily migrate up to your 1st and 2nd floors.
With the air quality being affected by the mold in the basement, soon you will notice odors and a "musty" atmosphere at the top of the basement stairs; perhaps even the 1st floor if left unattended to for some time.
Mold spores and byproducts (such as the decaying material it leaves behind) can cause serious allergic reactions in some people.
There are types of mold that can be fatal if not removed properly such as Stachybotrys.
Each mold has a different behavior and, like people, enjoys a different food sources.
If you think you have mold and are concerned about it, running an air filtration style dehumidifier is a good first step.
Regulation and filtration of the RH and the air in the basement are critical to providing adequate protection against mold colonies forming.
For more information on how to combat mold, remove/prevent and clean mold, contact your local basement experts and read more on both the CDC.
gov and EPA.
gov websites.
Source...