Don't Finish Your Basement Until You Read This, Advises CEO of 1-800-GOT-MOLD?

PRINCETON, N.J., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Finishing a basement is a popular way to add more living space to a home, but it's usually a mistake, says Jason Earle, CEO and founder of New Jersey mold inspection company 1-800-GOT-MOLD?®.

"Many people think they have a dry basement, and that they can install carpeting and drywall and have a nice, cozy new living space," Earle said. "But it's a trap. There is no such thing as a dry basement. Concrete harbors massive amounts of moisture even when it looks dry. If you want that cozy new living space, there are some things you must know."

From his days in the basement waterproofing business to his entry into the mold inspection and mold remediation consulting business in 2003, through today, Earle has inspected thousands of homes in New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and New York City. This region's homes are more likely to have basements than not.

Because a basement is below ground level, the water in the soil around the house and under the slab is exerting constant pressure on the foundation walls and the slab floor, Earle explained. And since concrete and block are porous, moisture gets through.

"A raw basement may seem dry because the incoming moisture is evaporating as it emerges. But as soon as you put anything organic and absorbent, such as carpeting, paper-backed sheetrock or wood in direct contact with the concrete, the water then transfers into that material," he said.  "The result is mold growth, often leading to rot – not what you had in mind for your TV lounge, recreation room or child's playroom."

In an article posted to the company website, www.1800gotmold.com, Earle explains in detail how to finish a basement without creating mold problems.

Mold growth occurs when a few specific factors are present. In fact, part of the problem is that these factors are very often present indoors because mold loves the same conditions we do, with few exceptions.

• Moisture/water
• Oxygen
• Comfortable temperature
• Nutrition/food source (cellulose, i.e., household dust, drywall, ceiling tiles, wood, carpet, etc.)

Of all of the above factors, moisture is the most easily controlled. In fact, few of the other factors are easily or cost-effectively dealt with. So, control moisture you must. Moisture control is the mold-prevention mantra.

In the article, Earle details what to do – and what not to do - when finishing a basement, starting with the reduction of moisture:

"If you have a damp basement or get water sometimes, you MUST do whatever is necessary to fix it before doing anything else. A dehumidifier is NOT the silver bullet, although they are necessary. If you can, you should do whatever you have to do to prevent the water from coming into the basement in the first place. This can sometimes mean excavating outside, fixing cracks and sealing the foundation properly (Big $$$$).

"Although still expensive, some people install French drains (see more on them in the article online) and sump pumps with battery backup units. This can be helpful but, again, it is not a silver bullet all by itself. You may find that something as simple as re-grading outside, covering window wells or extending the gutter downspouts further from the foundation is enough. You may find that some combination of these may work. In any case, do what you must. Otherwise your allergies and your wallet will suffer."

The article offers wisdom on:

• How to monitor humidity with a digital hygrometer
• Why you should insulate cold water pipes
• Should you paint foundations walls?
• Where to leave room for air circulation and repairs
• Plain wood, pressure-treated wood or metal studs?
• How to insulate properly
• Why heating and air conditioning count
• The bottom line in floor treatments
• What to use instead of traditional drywall
• How to store things in a basement, finished or not
• What French drains are all about

"We see so many finished basements with horrendous mold problems, which could have been avoided if just a few things had been done differently," Earle said.

"In nearly every case, someone in the home was chronically ill with asthma, constant sinus infections, allergies and more. In virtually every case, when the mold and moisture were vanquished, everyone's health improved.

"Unfortunately, in most cases the remediation and repair cost twice as much as the original finishing job. Doing it right the first time can save truckloads of money, and help avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor."

For more information, read the complete article at http://www.1800gotmold.com/mold_facts/dont_finish_your_basement.php?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150162820174183_21070150_10150540448444183#fcee14cae6e5e or use this shortened url: http://bit.ly/MEzHG4

Additional articles by Earle can be found at http://www.1800gotmold.com/mold_facts/articles_by_the_founder.php (if the link is not clickable, copy and paste it into your browser). Articles you may enjoy include:

• Why Attics Get Moldy
• Medical Science and Mold
• What to do After a Flood
• Humidifiers: The How and the Why
• Chronic Sinus Problems Can Be Cause by Mold
• A Simple, Ancient Remedy Can Help Beat Sinus Problems
• What's in Your Air? How to Make Your Indoor Air Cleaner and Safer
• Mold and Health: Myths and Facts
• Don't Let Mold Inspectors Remediate!
• How to Select a Qualified Mold Remediation Contractor
• The Truth About "Black Mold"
• Vacation Homes and Vacant Real Estate

1-800-GOT-MOLD? provides, from its base in Princeton NJ, mold inspections, mold testing, indoor allergen testing, and mold remediation consulting, as a consumer service and in cooperation with health-care providers and/or insurers.

1-800-GOT-MOLD? is a subsidiary of Mycelium Holdings LLC. .

Websites: http://www.myceliumholdings.com ; http://www.1800gotmold.com

Contact: Jason Earle, 1-800-468-6653 ext. 102, [email protected]

SOURCE 1-800-GOT-MOLD?