ᐅ Mold in the Basement: Moisture From Below or Condensation Issue
Created on: 9 Aug 2021 11:40
T
Tassimat
Hello everyone,
Yesterday, I discovered a mold issue in my basement, as shown in the attached photo.
The wall is an exterior wall in a heated basement room that I use daily. The area around the baseboard is about 1.5m (5 feet) below ground level. In front of the baseboard, there was a cabinet and moving boxes placed very close to the wall, so there was almost no air circulation, although the room has large windows (mostly kept closed).
I haven’t had time yet to expose the area further, but I am wondering whether the problem is caused more by water coming from below or by water condensing on the cold exterior wall? It seems like water from below, but the opposite exterior wall in the room shows no signs of this issue, and it was not obstructed. Also, there shouldn’t be any water pooling outside the house, since the slope runs away from the building and there is a terrace above that area, which also directs water away.
What is the best way to determine the source of the mold problem? What should I look for when exposing the area? Do you have any tips?
Thank you very much
Tassimat
Yesterday, I discovered a mold issue in my basement, as shown in the attached photo.
The wall is an exterior wall in a heated basement room that I use daily. The area around the baseboard is about 1.5m (5 feet) below ground level. In front of the baseboard, there was a cabinet and moving boxes placed very close to the wall, so there was almost no air circulation, although the room has large windows (mostly kept closed).
I haven’t had time yet to expose the area further, but I am wondering whether the problem is caused more by water coming from below or by water condensing on the cold exterior wall? It seems like water from below, but the opposite exterior wall in the room shows no signs of this issue, and it was not obstructed. Also, there shouldn’t be any water pooling outside the house, since the slope runs away from the building and there is a terrace above that area, which also directs water away.
What is the best way to determine the source of the mold problem? What should I look for when exposing the area? Do you have any tips?
Thank you very much
Tassimat
apokolok schrieb:
What did the basement look like before the renovation?This room had wooden floorboards. The dust, sand, and dirt beneath the boards were completely dry. Overall, I couldn’t detect any moisture issues anywhere. The room used to have two large radiators, and the oil heating was running at full capacity.H
hampshire9 Aug 2021 15:15Did you experience heavy rainfall accompanied by a rise in groundwater levels?
At my sister’s house in Erftstadt, water seeped in with a squelching sound through the basement wall of her home, which has been there for almost 10 years.
The heating system is located far away, with a cupboard in front of the wall, so it’s not uncommon for something like this to happen in older basements with relatively new screed.
At my sister’s house in Erftstadt, water seeped in with a squelching sound through the basement wall of her home, which has been there for almost 10 years.
The heating system is located far away, with a cupboard in front of the wall, so it’s not uncommon for something like this to happen in older basements with relatively new screed.
Tassimat schrieb:
This room had wooden floorboards. The dust, sand, and dirt beneath the floorboards were completely dry. In general, I couldn't detect any moisture problems anywhere. The room used to have two large radiators, and the oil heating was running at maximum. Well, then it's not that bad.
I would remove the baseboard and let it dry thoroughly again.
Possibly treat it with some kind of anti-mold product.
Ventilate preferably only when it’s colder outside than in the basement. Of course, that’s not always easy in summer.
Have you measured the humidity level?
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