Black mold is a domestic danger that develops and spreads in damp areas where people rarely go. Corners of the basement and hidden crawl spaces are some of the best places for this type of fungus to anchor and increase in area and severity. Disaster will come when black mold has migrated to cover entire walls and floors. When the infestation reaches this stage, the only alternatives may be to either call in professional help or demolish the home because of it’s potential to be an extreme health hazard; both of which can be very costly. Understanding as much as possible about black mold, and particularly the things that cause it to worsen, is the best way to keep it from literally becoming a home wrecker.
Other household problems can make things worse. Moisture is the source that spawns black mold and bad plumbing is a common source of the required dampness. Because piping is not regularly checked out for leaks, mold can develop uninterrupted for a long period of time until the problem has reached near crisis stage. Clogged rain gutters can cause water to seep into wall space and through the roofing, permitting moisture to collect in areas not immediately visible.
Concealed areas are primary breeding grounds, but not the only areas where black mold can grow. Due to moisture content and the porous character associated with tile grout, bathrooms are common areas for black mold with the spores generating in between and at the rear of the tiles on the floor. Warped wood and loosened dry wall tape are evidence of a degree of moisture suitable for black mold. Because of the volume of water and the length of time it takes for drying out, flooding is a conventional cause of black mold.
Often, it is not having the means to control humidity, and thus moisture, that makes the situation develop into a catastrophe. Fortunately, humidity can be controlled easily with basic ceiling fans and air conditioning units that keep air circulating throughout the house. De-humidifiers in the basement can also be used as an effective means of preventing dampness from becoming too excessive. Lastly, sump pumps are a reliable means of preventing water from collecting in the basement after a heavy rain, and effectively preventing mold spawning territories.
Black mold proliferates because conditions permit it. Basement carpeting might not be a good idea, because the fiber can hold moisture and serve as an excellent breeding grounds for mold generation. This is also true in other common mold-inducing areas, such as bathrooms and under kitchen sinks. A good substitute for carpeting is to have underfloor heating systems installed in the cellar floors because it not only creates the warmth expected from carpeting, it also keeps the floor dry and dramatically reduces occurrences of moisture build up.
All of the above being said, most likely the biggest reason for black mold problems to get out of control is neglect, pure and simple. People don’t typically spend as many hours in the basement area as other areas of a home, and in the absence of regular inspection, mold thrives. Other recommended inspections include checking the rain gutters to prevent clogging, the repairs of which are not that difficult (e.g. a simple renovation would be to have the downspout pointed away from the house and not towards it). Opening a window or turning on an overhead fan after taking a bath or shower can also reduce moisture buildup. Black mold can be a serious problem, but it doesn’t have to be a tragedy. Simple precautions combined with reasonable vigilance can prevent black mold disasters from happening.