In this article, we wrote about the four ways on how to remove mold from basement wall. One of them includes using tea tree oil.
Are you intrigued? Well, read on to find out more.
Mold On Basement Walls
The basement is a common place for mold contamination because it is susceptible to water damage and moist conditions.
Leaky pipes in the wall cavity of your basement lead to mold growth. The slow drip of leaky pipes feeds the mold, and mold only takes one to two days to form.
Another reason for basement mold growth is poor drainage. If the gutter and downspout system does not keep the water away from your house, it will lead to water damage.
Any water pooling near your house’s foundation ends up in your basement, damaging your foundation and basement. Water damage then leads to mold growth. Another cause of water damage to basements is the accumulation of water near your foundation slope.
Basements lack ventilation, so moisture is more likely to be trapped in the room. Another cause of trapped moisture in the presence of water heaters and furnaces in the basement. Trapped moisture is ideal for mold growth, so it’s unsurprising how common mold is in basements.
What are the effects of mold on basement walls?
Inhaling mold spores from indoor molds lead to upper respiratory tract issues. Some of the problems are coughs and asthma.
If you want to learn about removing mold spores, here’s an article about eradicating airborne mold spores. This article may help you in preventing mold growth, too!
If you’re vulnerable to mold, the effects would be more severe for you. For example, having chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and mold exposure may lead to hay fever-like symptoms.
Cold-flu symptoms among children and the elderly are also common after mold exposure. It is wise to avoid prolonged exposure and remove the mold from your basement as soon as possible.
Methods On Removing Mold From Basement Walls
There are multiple ways to remove mold from basement walls. We’ve enumerated four mold removal techniques for you here:
Method #1. Use borax
Step #1. For this method, you will need a cup of borax, a HEPA-certified vacuum cleaner, a bucket, a gallon of warm water, and a bristle brush.
Step #2. Vacuum the mold-affected surfaces using the HEPA-certified vacuum. This prevents mold spores from spreading further in the air.
Learn more about mold growth in this article explaining “how fast does mold grow” to be more aware. This article about the period of mold growth will help you understand how crucial it is to keep airborne mold spores contained.
Step #3. Mix the cup of borax into the bucket with warm water to create your cleaning mixture. Then, dip the bristle brush in the solution.
After that, scrub the mold-affected areas and let the solution sit on the walls. You can leave the mixture on the walls to prevent future mold growth.
Method #2. Use bleach
Bleach is the standard homeowner’s solution to mold eradication because of its disinfecting properties. However, it works better with sealed surfaces of your basement wall and not the expanse of the wall itself.
Step #1. Prepare a spray bottle and protective gear (gloves, goggles, and respirator). Then, mix a cup of bleach into a gallon of water.
Step #2. Pour some of the solutions into a spray bottle, then spray the mixture on the sealed areas of your basement wall. That’s it; let the solution sit on the walls to kill mold and prevent further growth.
Method #3. Use vinegar
Vinegar is safer to use in mold removal compared to bleach. The smell may turn people away from using it, though. Also, since it is mild, it works better with small patches of mold growth.
Step #1. Prepare white vinegar, baking soda-water solution, and a spray bottle.
Step #2. Put the undiluted vinegar in the spray bottle and spritz it on moldy areas. Leave the liquid on the walls for an hour to kill the mold roots.
Step #3. To balance the PH of the walls, spray a baking soda-water solution on the vinegar-saturated spots. The baking soda solution also helps remove the smell of the mold, doubling the mold-killing power of the vinegar.
Step #4. To finish the job, wipe the walls down with clean water.
Method #4. Use tea tree oils
Lastly, pure tea tree oils are surprisingly good at killing mold, too. Also, these oils have a more pleasant smell than the ones mentioned above.
Step #1. Prepare a teaspoon of pure tea tree oil, a cup of water, and a scrub brush.
Step #2. If the area is riddled with visible mold, scrub it down with a brush dipped with the tea tree oil solution. To make the solution, mix the teaspoon of oil and a cup of water. Dip the brush and use it to scrub away the mold.
Conclusion
There are several ways on how to remove mold from basement wall. However, if the mold damage is extensive, we encourage you to contact a professional instead.