Basements are notorious breeding grounds for molds. After all, most basements have the perfect recipe for a mold infestation: moisture, darkness, and undisturbed surroundings. If left unchecked, the mold infestation will grow and creep all over your home. With that, you should know how to clean mold off basement walls, so it won’t cause more problems later on.
In this post, we will discuss how molds form in basements walls, what you can do to remove them, and how to prevent them in the future.
How to clean mold off basement walls
If you discovered the presence of molds on your basement walls, you must act to have them removed as soon as possible. Here are the steps you can take:
Step 1. Assess the extent of mold growth
The first thing you have to do is assess how widespread the mold growth is in your basement. Take note that even though only a small portion of the walls have molds, the problem can be hidden on the floor, ceiling, and insulation.
This assessment will help you decide whether you can handle the removal or you need to call a professional. Take note that a massive mold infestation in a basement is best handled by a professional mold removal service.
Take note that mold removal is more than just scrubbing off the discoloration on your walls. If you only remove what you can see on the surface, the mold will just grow back.
But if you think you can handle the mold removal with DIY solutions, you can proceed with the next steps.
Step 2. Gear up and prepare the room
Before you wage war with molds, it’s important that you have full battle gear on. Wear an N95 mask, safety goggles, closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and long pants. If you have a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Set, it would be better.
It’s necessary to protect yourself as mold spore inhalation is dangerous. Also, the cleaning solution we will use later has strong off-gassing, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and skin.
Once you’re well protected, the next step is to prepare your basement. Start by boosting the ventilation of the area.
You can open the basement window if there are any or set up multiple fans to keep the air moving. It’s best if you can install an exhaust fan, so the mold spores will be expelled outdoors and not into your living space.
Step 3. Remove clutter
Next, you have to toss out mold-infested items. This includes old boxes, stacks of old newspapers, books, and other porous items that are stored in your basement.
If you don’t want to throw away any of it, you should place it under direct sunlight for 2 to 4 hours.
Nevertheless, it’s still recommended to reduce the clutter in your basement. This way, mold spores will have fewer surfaces to cling to. It’s best to get rid of damaged items since you won’t have any use for them in the first place.
This way, the spores will die and won’t spread further.
Step 4. Scrub off the molds
Once the solution has soaked the walls, the next step is to scrub it using a boar-bristle brush. You can also use cloth if you’re worried about damaging your drywall. But if you have a concrete basement wall, a stiff bristle would be more ideal.
Scrub or wipe the area until you removed most of the staining. If there are stains that won’t go away, you can spot-treat them with pure hydrogen peroxide.
Step 5. Rinse and dry
Next, rinse the wall using a dripping cloth. This is to remove the dirt and spores you’ve just scrubbed off. It’s not a good idea to douse water into your basement walls as this will allow moisture to see through and cause more problems later on.
After rinsing, let the walls dry properly. It’s also important that you proceed with the next step.
Step 6. Run a dehumidifier and an air purifier
After removing molds on your basement wall, you need to run a dehumidifier. This is to remove excess moisture that could be causing mold growth in the first place. It will also help dry up your walls efficiently after cleaning.
It’s recommended to use a hygrometer to monitor your basement’s humidity level. As much as you want to remove moisture, it’s not a good idea to make the basement air too dry. Overall, your goal should be to keep it within 40% to 50%, so molds won’t grow back.
Moreover, you can run a dehumidifier in your basement periodically. This is to keep humidity levels in check as a preventive measure.
Aside from a dehumidifier, you should also run an air purifier at the same time. The air purifier will collect mold spores and other airborne particulates as the dehumidifier balances humidity. Take note that even if dehumidifiers are equipped with filters, it’s not enough to clean the air thoroughly.
When getting an air purifier, look for one with a HEPA filter. You can also consider a unit with an activated charcoal filter that can help neutralize the musty odor in your basement due to molds.
Step 7. Fix moisture sources and seal leaks
While the dehumidifier and air purifier are running, you should take the time to inspect for any gaps and leaks on your basement walls. These openings must be sealed using an epoxy seal, masonry waterproofing product, hydraulic cement, or any material of your choice.
In addition, you should inspect the pipes and fix any leaks you may find, no matter how minor it is. You can also insulate your basement pipes to prevent condensation during winter.
Final words
Knowing how to clean mold off basement walls will prevent it from spreading to other parts of your home. However, removal must be done properly to avoid dispersing the mold spores.
While DIY cleaning is possible, you shouldn’t shy away from professional services in case the mold problem is already massive. In the end, the service fee might be a small sacrifice compared to the comfort and safety you’ll enjoy.