Do I Really Have To Worry About Finishing My Basement With DRY-WALL – Wood, Fiberglass insulation – panels And Why ?
If you have been thinking about finishing your basement it is important to have a good understanding about the basement environment, here you will find facts about the proper use of building materials, and why using organic & moisture sensitive materials like dry-wall, wood, paper and fiberglass insulation – panels in a basement are all food sources for mold growth. And due to their inferior properties they are the lest effective solution when applied in an environment like a basement. Mold is a major concern & needs a source to grow, here are five ingredients necessary for mold growth (food source, air, moisture, suitable temperature, and a surface to grow on) below explains the common problems with leaking, moisture and high humidity. And why organic – moisture sensitive materials are hazardous and will become damaged when used in a basement.
“It has been documented that at least “ 98% of all sub-surface basement areas will leak, at some point in their life.” There can be many reasons for a damp or leaky basement, and they all add up to problems for you as a homeowner, if not corrected. Actual water leakage should not be confused with the high relative humidity typically found in basements. Both leaking and high levels of humidity will destroy inferior building materials. If your house has a basement, then basement water leakage and excess basement humidity levels along with the installation of improper building materials are major contributors to mold growth in your home. Below are examples of the damage that happens when moisture is trapped between the foundation wall and the finished basement wall using dry-wall, wood, paper faced fiberglass insulation allowing mold to grow unnoticed. Mold growth in walls of the home is a serious health concern. Long-standing moisture problems can lead to termite infestation and decay, resulting in structural damage to the house. Thats why its important to avoid materials that DO NOT BELONG in the basement. Fiberglass insulation when wet acts as a sponge and will retain water from flooding and humidity, falling apart and loosing its insulative R-value & allowing mold growth. The manufacturer of this product developed a basement wall finishing system using a fiberglass panel with a fabric covering and promotes it to be used in the basement but recommends storing fiberglass in a dry place? this is true for drywall HENCE the name DRY-WALL.they also recommend storing it in a dry place, why would you use it in a basement?
Want A Finished Basement But You’re Worried About Mold? Keep Reading!
“I’d love to have a finished basement,” Gary said, “but I’m really worried about mold. The basement as it is right now tends to be damp, and as we all know, mold loves moisture. I’d hate to sink a bunch of money into a basement remodel, only to wind up with a space we can’t use.”
Concerns about mold and mildew growth are very common among Boston homeowners who are considering having their basement finished. Being in New England means we get four distinct seasons, with fluctuating levels of moisture that can at times be quite high. However, expert Boston basement refinishing companies have been handling this issue for quite a while now, with proven strategies that can successfully leave you with an attractive, usable, mold free space.
Mold needs three things to grow: moisture, something to feed on, and warmth. Prior to beginning any renovation, your Boston basement finishing company will thoroughly inspect your basement for signs that moisture is regularly penetrating the building envelope. This could be through foundation cracks, window seals, or other vulnerable points. Addressing these penetration points helps eliminate one of the required elements mold needs to thrive: moisture.
Then, your Boston basement renovation specialist can finish your basement using insulation and wall board products that are specially designed to inhibit mold and mildew growth. Unlike ordinary wallboard or other common building materials, these specially treated selections give mold and mildew nothing to eat – in other words, these unpleasant intrusions are starved out.
By controlling access to moisture and a food source, the risk of mold and mildew growth is exponentially reduced. If you have concerns about mold but think you would really like having the extra space a finished basement would give your family, call us today. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions!