Does Spray Insulation Help with a Musty Basement?

Mold Presence

• Even though you may not see mold growth in your basement, a musty odor in the basement indicates that mold is present, according to Kenneth Hellevang of North Dakota State University. Mold sends spores into the air, creating the musty smell, which is how mold spreads through a space like your basement. If you see black, white or other colored growth on any surfaces in your basement, you need to remove the mold and look for anywhere else it has spread.

Mold Detection

• If you are not sure where the mold is growing in your house’s basement, you need to do some detective work. Look for any areas that have obvious water damage, such as hard water deposits or a water line on a wall, ceiling or floor since mold grows in areas with moisture. Peeling or bubbling paint on a wall or ceiling also indicates the presence of moisture. Move any furniture sitting against the walls since the furniture may be hiding mold growth. Pull back the baseboards along your walls to check for mold growth, as well as the edges of any carpeting.

Spray Insulation

• Spray insulation helps waterproof a basement, sealing off gaps around windows and doors, as well as other areas of the basement so water cannot penetrate. You must apply the insulation so no gaps appear; otherwise, even a small opening can allow enough moisture in to trigger mold growth. Right after you apply spray insulation, you need to remove the mold since the insulation only stops more moisture from entering the basement but does not eliminate the mold growth.

Mold Removal

• Exposure to mold spores can make some people feel sick, giving them symptoms similar to a cold or flu. For people in high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or respiratory problems, mold exposure can cause more extreme responses. You need to seal off the area where the mold is growing by draping plastic in doorways or passageways. You also must wear protective clothing, a face mask and gloves to minimize your exposure. You can clean the mold off hard surfaces, such as wood, but porous surfaces like drywall or carpet padding can never be completely cleaned and so must be removed and replaced.