I Found Mold in My Basement. Now What?

Discovering mold in your home can be a stressful ordeal. Often times, the very first thing we hear during that very first phone call is, “I don’t even know if I called the right people, but […].” So you’ve uncovered significant mold development in your New Jersey basement, what now?

Basement Mold In New Jersey

Mold is everywhere. It plays a vital role in our ecosystem. It is perfectly harmless unless it begins to grow at elevated levels indoors. All mold needs is moisture, food and warmth to thrive in an environment. Elevated indoor mold development is most commonly the side effect of excessive indoor moisture buildup. It can be something as seemingly minor as general indoor humidity or it can be something as glaringly obvious as major flooding, and every scenario in between.

New Jersey basements are one of the top most common areas for indoor mold development. Without the necessary care or attention, basements can suffer from poor air circulation and insufficient drainage, which creates a welcoming environment for mold. Basements are naturally prone to water seepage through foundation walls and require special construction precautions. If the source of the moisture problem is not resolved, mold is inevitable.

Here are some of the more common causes for mold in basements:

• High humidity – over 55%
• Water leaking or seeping through foundation walls
• Flooding
• Poor air circulation
• Condensation from ducts

How to Deal with Basement Mold in South Jersey

If you suspect a mold problem in your New Jersey basement, you should start researching certified mold inspectors in your New Jersey area. A trained mold professional will have the appropriate tools, skills and knowledge to properly assess your basement for mold. A thorough NJ basement mold inspection will help to determine the following:

• If it’s mold or not
• How bad it is
• What caused it
• How to safely and effectively remove it
• How to prevent it from happening again

With the information gathered during the initial mold inspection, a professional mold inspector will be able to prescribe an appropriate NJ basement mold remediation strategy to safely and effectively remove the mold from your home.

Want to learn more about professional mold inspections? Check out our article “Benefits of a Professional NJ Mold Inspection

What is Basement Mold Remediation?

Mold Remediation– “the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter that was not purposely grown at that location.”

There are 3 core components of a proper mold remediation: identifying the source, containing the problem, and thorough cleaning and disposal.

• Identifying the source— In order to ensure the success of a mold cleanup, the source of issue must be resolved. Typically, at the end of a long moldy trail, there is a significant water or moisture source promoting the mold activity. Finding, stopping, and fixing the source of the water intrusion should be top priority.

• Containing the problem— Before beginning any work, it is important to carefully protect the unaffected areas. Technicians should be fully trained to carefully isolate all areas of concern with the appropriate barriers and covers to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

• Cleaning and disposal— Usually, mold can be effectively removed from the surface of building materials without the use of toxic agents. However, in some severe cases of mold, some building materials may be non-salvageable. Mold technicians should be trained in the most advanced techniques for the safe, effective, and efficient removal and disposal of non-salvageable, mold-infested building materials.

The Dangers of Basement Mold Development in NJ Home

Basement mold development can do serious and dangerous property damage, and it can lead to serious health consequences. Bottom line, if you have significant mold development in your home, it needs to be properly addressed before it grows worse. A professional basement NJ mold removal company can help.

• Health concerns: Mold effects each person differently. Mold symptoms range from mild allergic reactions to severe upper respiratory problems. It all depends on the individual, the species of mold, the length of exposure, and several other factors.
• Property Damage: Living in a home with mold is simply unsafe due to the underlying water problems. Where there is mold, there is a water source. Mold and water damage can eat away at your building materials and seriously compromise the structural integrity of your home. That is why a basement mold removal plan will ALWAYS include moisture control tactics to prevent future problems.

Finding the Right Mold Removal Professional in South Jersey

Handling a serious mold situation is not common knowledge, and chances are, you will never need information about professional mold remediation until you actually encounter a mold problem. Unlike most other service industries, mold remediation done wrong can affect your family’s health and cause expensive property damage. Because of this, you’ll want to do your research before trusting a mold remediation company with the well being of your family and home.

DO YOUR RESEARCH! Take some time to educate yourself on what you want out of a mold remediation company in New Jersey. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions and set high expectations a prospective mold removal professional in South Jersey.

Need help finding the right mold remediation professional for the job? Check out our article “Things To Look For In A NJ Mold Remediation Company.”