Be honest: how often do you visit your basement? If you’re like most Portland homeowners, the answer is probably not too often. Since basements are largely used for storage, it’s normal to not visit them until you need to. The downside of this is that you could miss mold growth. When you find it, you need to call a professional for mold removal services. 

In today’s blog, we’ll go over the most common causes of basement mold growth. We’ll also cover the common signs you should be aware of. Let’s get started!

Common Causes of Basement Mold Growth 

In terms of what causes mold growth anywhere in your house, the answer is water. Water damage generates moisture. In areas of existing humidity, this combination leads to mold in as little as 24 hours. 

Unfortunately, these conditions make your basement prime real estate for mold growth. In the basement, the most common causes of water damage include: 

• Burst pipes
• Broken water heater
• Clogged gutters
• Floods
• Severe rainstorms
• Leaks from the floor above

Mold will likely develop if any of these situations occur and go untreated. For example, many pipes are hidden behind walls. Unless you notice another sign, you may not realize that the basement is experiencing a burst pipe until it’s too late. 

The same goes for mild rainstorms or clogged gutters that trickle down into the basement. Unless you’re visiting the basement daily, you may not notice mold until it’s already spread. 

As such, make it a rule of thumb to prepare your basement for floods and water damage. You can do this by properly sealing your basement windows so water can’t get in. Also, routinely clear out your gutters so that water doesn’t run over the side. 

Also, if you can, try and visit your basement after any type of rainstorm. Doing so will allow you to catch any signs of water damage. If you catch it early enough, you can either combat mold or minimize its severity. 

Signs of Mold Growth in the Basement

There are thousands of species of mold; however, only a few can be found in your basement. These include: 

• Aspergillus
• Stachybotrys
• Ulocladium
• Trichoderma

Though they are all caused by water damage, they all look different. Each one can also affect homeowners and residents differently. For example, Trichoderma is green and known to trigger asthma attacks. So, if anyone in your home has asthma and seems to be experiencing more symptoms, Trichoderma might be the cause. 

On the other hand, Aspergillus, which is white or green, can also trigger asthma symptoms and allergies. Longtime exposure to this type of mold can even trigger the growth of cancer cells. 

Like Aspergillus, which is toxic, Stachybotrys – or black mold – is also easily identifiable by its black coloring. And although they may look alike, Ulocladium is also black but not typically as dangerous. 

Aside from color, here are a few of the other most common signs of mold growth: 

• Sudden onset of allergy symptoms like coughing or wheezing
• Foul, musky odors 
• Warping walls or floorboards
• Carpet stains, if applicable
• Dark stains on the wood or drywall 

Knowing the signs of mold growth can help you determine if you have it. If so, you’ll need to hire a professional to conduct mold removal services. The longer it sits untreated, the worse it’s going to get. 

Unfortunately, mold is one of those growths that can spread throughout your basement quickly. Why? Because mold can survive on nearly any type of surface. This makes it all the more dangerous. 

Be on the lookout for mold growth in the following areas of your basement: 

• Exposed drywall
• Wooden beams
• Concrete floors
• Behind your water heater
• HVAC system
• Exposed pipes
• Window trims

Though this isn’t an exhaustive list, these are a few of the most common areas mold where mold hides. If you suspect mold, check these areas first. 

Do You Have Mold in Your Basement? Hire the Mold Removal Services from PNW Restoration to Get Your Basement Back to Normal!

If you have mold in your basement, don’t panic. Though it’s not something you want to deal with, basement mold growth is common. And because it’s common, our team has the right tools to treat it. 

Common household cleaners can’t get rid of mold. When used, they only tend to clean the surface of the mold. Unfortunately, this means that the mold is likely to grow back and become an ongoing problem. 

When you obtain mold removal services from PNW Restoration, you can trust that we’ll treat mold at the source. Whether big or small, we will get your basement mold under control. 

Call us at 971-247-3597 to schedule an appointment. We proudly service the Portland, Candy, Tulatin, and Tigard areas.