I recently discovered some mold on an old car seat and a couple of rusted dumbbells in my unfinished basement. We were about to start framing the basement, but I'm worried about the mold situation. Is it still possible to proceed with the framing if I use a dehumidifier? What steps should I take next since I haven't seen mold on other items?
4 Answers
Without active AC or heat, the moisture in an unfinished basement can definitely be higher. Concrete can let moisture seep in, so it’s important to have a dehumidifier before you finish the basement. If you notice water signs, take care of that first!
If your basement lacks waterproofing, you’ll need a dehumidifier to manage moisture, especially with external soil pressure causing vapor to enter. Consider treating the organic surfaces with Concrobium to kill any mold before finishing. Also, use closed-cell foam insulation against the foundation to prevent moisture issues later on.
Yes, basements typically have higher humidity, so it’s crucial to address any mold issues now rather than later when the walls are up. If you're determined to start framing, make sure you have that dehumidifier running consistently to keep moisture at bay.
In my experience, new builds really benefit from having a dehumidifier running continuously until everything dries out. You mentioned turning yours off—could that be why mold has developed? It's great that you got the humidity down from 75% to 50%!
Yeah, I forgot to empty the dehumidifier and that’s when the mold started growing. It’s been super humid lately, so I turned it back on last night.
Thanks for that tip! I really appreciate the advice!