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Step by Step Mold Free Basement Renovation

I know you are not going to like what I am about to say, but it is something you need to know: your basement will leak, flood or have a water accident. It can be now, in a few weeks, or years down the road. It is not a matter of “if”, but “when”. 

It can be due to a really heavy rain, a problem with drainage, a sump pump failure. It can be a clogged gutter pouring water around the foundation. But it can also be the old water heater tank giving up the ghost and leaking all over the basement, or even a plumbing leak. 

It might be because of a running, overflowing toilette or because someone left the water running in the sink upstairs and all that water ended up in your basement.

So, make no mistake, one day you will find you basement wet somehow, and if you don’t take care of it right away, it will be also moldy and very unhealthy. 

So what to do when you find yourself with a wet and mold infested basement? 

According to the US Center for Disease Controland the Environmental Protection Agency, if the infestation is wide spread (anything over 10 square feet) you will need to call a professional, regardless of the mold species you might be dealing with.

Although only a few species of mold are toxic (produce mycotoxins that make people sick), all mold releases spores in the air, and mold spores from any species, even the nontoxic ones, can trigger mild to severe allergy symptoms in sensitive people. 

Mold is the second most common cause of indoor allergies in the US. The first one are dust mites. Both dust mites and mold thrive under the same conditions: warmth, high humidity and presence of organic matter to feed on.Chances are that if mold is present, dust mites are as well. So if the mold problem is extensive please contact a professional.

If the area is smaller than 10 sq feet, you will need, masks, glove and bleach solution, and follow the EPA guidelines for cleanup.

Now, once you cleaned up you will need to take the proper measures to keep it from coming back. Of all the 3 things that mold needs to develop – moisture, warmth and organic matter), you can only control effectively one of them. 

Your home will be always warm enough for mold to grow,  and there will always be something organic in the house for mold to feed on. Therefore you are left with controlling the humidity levels. 

Before you begin the renovation you will need waterproof your basement and make sure it doesn’t flood again. An internal perimeter drainage system and a good sump pump system, preferably with a battery operated backup will keep the basement dry no matter where the water comes from, because it can address both ground water and internal water accidents.

However, because the basement structure is buried in wet dirt there will be always some level of moisture infiltrating the walls and the slab. Your choice of finishing materials should take that into consideration. Do not use anything organic, porous and absorbent to finish the basement.

Things like fiberglass insulation, drywall, wood studs, wooden subfloors, floors or laminates and may types of carpet should be avoided. In contact with damp walls and floors they will absorb and retain water, eventually supporting mold growth.

The whole line of Total Basement Finishing Products is 100% waterproof and  mold resistant. Our non-absorbent cement-core EverLast basement wall panels, ThermalDry flooring tiles and MillCreek faux wood laminates were specially engineered to work in basements and withstand all types of basement water problems. They will not get ruined or grow mold even if the basement floods.

The last and most important step is to dehumidify the basement. To keep things like fabrics, upholstery, wooden furniture and paper from getting moldy and smelly, the Relative Humidity Levels in the basement should be kept at or below 60%, preferably around 50% with a good basement dehumidifier. Anything higher than 60% RH will favor mold growth. Our Energy Star Rated SaniDry Basement Air System will take four times the water out of the air as a typical dehumidifier, while using the same amount of energy or less!

Using Total Basement Finishing Products in your basement renovation project will give you the beautiful, stylish look you look for along with unparalleled moisture, mold and thermal protection that outperforms by far all of the competing products.

You will have a dry, comfortable and healthy basement your family will enjoy for many years to come. 

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