Basement Mold Removal in Grand Rapids, MI

In West Michigan almost every house has a basement, and basements are where most mold starts. Concrete pulls moisture from the soil, the air is cool so humidity climbs in summer, and a finished basement hides problems behind carpet and drywall until they smell.

Why Grand Rapids basements get moldy

• Spring snowmelt and heavy rain push water against foundation walls.
• Sump pump failures, often during a storm when the power goes out.
• Humid summers. Warm, damp air meets cool basement walls and condenses.
• Finished basements where drywall and carpet sit right on concrete that never fully dries.
• Older foundations of stone, block or early poured concrete that let water seep through.

What the job involves

The contractor finds where the moisture is coming from, seals off the basement from the rest of the house, removes moldy drywall, insulation, carpet and pad, cleans and treats the framing and concrete, and runs air scrubbers and dehumidifiers. If the cause is a grading, gutter, sump or foundation problem, you'll be told so it can be fixed. Otherwise the mold returns.

Keep it from coming back

• Keep basement humidity under about 50% with a dehumidifier in summer (the EPA's range is 30 to 50%).
• Make sure gutters and downspouts send water well away from the house.
• Test the sump pump before spring, and consider a battery backup.
• Store boxes on shelves, not on the floor, and use plastic bins instead of cardboard.