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
We have the same issue. We moved in January 2021. There is a storage room under the stairs and a utility room. The architect said this is probably normal due to residual moisture in a new build.
Fortunately, I felt the urge yesterday to reorganize the rooms; otherwise, we wouldn’t have noticed it at all.
But as I said, it’s a new build, so probably nothing unusual.
Fortunately, I felt the urge yesterday to reorganize the rooms; otherwise, we wouldn’t have noticed it at all.
But as I said, it’s a new build, so probably nothing unusual.
@Tanari It almost looks like just a bit of dust on your wall 😉
Last night I removed the baseboard. The mold extends across the entire width, including both corners of the room. The adjacent walls are mold-free, as is the second exterior wall. Unfortunately, I can only upload one photo; the rest are completely blurry.
In just a few spots, the mold was superficial and easy to remove. It went through the wallpaper. The floor covering is not affected, and the back of the baseboard is almost untouched. I removed the infected strip and all black parts from the wallpaper at the bottom. Then I sprayed a lot of mold remover. Following the motto "more is better," it now smells strongly of chlorine. I hope it will be bearable in the room again tonight.
I still need to measure and monitor wall moisture and humidity over the long term. For now, the chlorine treatment needs to dry and evaporate. The window is open despite the humid weather to let the chlorine smell out.
hanse987 schrieb:No, just roughly plastered, poorly wallpapered, and cheap paint. You can also see the shadow of the shelf, which I moved away. It looks better in person than in the photo in the introduction thread.
Somehow the wall looks a bit wavy. Is there any interior insulation?
Last night I removed the baseboard. The mold extends across the entire width, including both corners of the room. The adjacent walls are mold-free, as is the second exterior wall. Unfortunately, I can only upload one photo; the rest are completely blurry.
In just a few spots, the mold was superficial and easy to remove. It went through the wallpaper. The floor covering is not affected, and the back of the baseboard is almost untouched. I removed the infected strip and all black parts from the wallpaper at the bottom. Then I sprayed a lot of mold remover. Following the motto "more is better," it now smells strongly of chlorine. I hope it will be bearable in the room again tonight.
I still need to measure and monitor wall moisture and humidity over the long term. For now, the chlorine treatment needs to dry and evaporate. The window is open despite the humid weather to let the chlorine smell out.
Schimi179110 Aug 2021 12:43Hydrogen peroxide should (actually) also work against mold. It has a much less strong odor.
I have been measuring the humidity levels over the past few days. Currently, it is at 59% with the windows open. In the evening, with the windows and door closed, it rises to almost 75%. Definitely too high.
I am going to set up a dehumidifier. Unfortunately, due to the severe weather conditions in recent weeks, all the stores are still out of stock, and I have to wait several days for delivery.
I am going to set up a dehumidifier. Unfortunately, due to the severe weather conditions in recent weeks, all the stores are still out of stock, and I have to wait several days for delivery.
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