Can A Damp Basement Cause Health Problems?

When your basement becomes damp there is usually mold growth

. Mold can be dangerous. This is because it can become the catalyst for a host of respiratory illnesses including bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma. Mold is also likely to start degrading the material that makes up the walls of the building.

How serious is a damp basement?

Dampness or moisture buildup in your basement can cause musty odors, which will make your home less hospitable. As well as damaging your possessions,

damp basements can trigger mold growth and mildew

. Both are dangerous organisms that can cause allergies and worsen existing respiratory problems such as asthma.

How can mold in basement affect you?

For people sensitive to mold,

inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash

. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath.

Can living in a basement cause breathing problems?

Lack of Ventilation

While stuffy air below-grade won’t affect anyone living upstairs,

it can trigger asthma attacks or other respiratory problems in those who spend time in a basement bedroom or rec room

.

Can wet walls make you sick?

Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you’re more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma

. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.

How long does it take to get sick from mold exposure?

These symptoms usually first appear

2 to 9 hours after exposure

and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.

Can a damp basement affect upstairs?

If you find water in your basement, you might wonder, “Can mold in the basement affect upstairs?” For most property owners, the answer is

usually yes

.

Should you run a dehumidifier in the basement all the time?

Basements are more exposed to a constant source of moisture from the external environment; therefore,

your dehumidifier should run very frequently

. Molds tend to become a problem at a relative humidity of 60% and above. Therefore, we recommend that you keep your basement dehumidifier within a range of 40% to 60%.

What should I do if I have moisture in my basement?

You can

air out the basement by opening windows and running fans to circulate the air

. You can also try turning up the heat in the basement, as warmer air will prevent moisture from condensing on cool surfaces. Another solution is to use a dehumidifier in your basement.

Is it safe to live in a house with mold in the basement?

Mold thrives in damp and humid environments and as it grows it releases spores into the air, which can make people very sick if inhaled.

Toxic mold can irritate your eyes, and your respiratory system and cause very unpleasant odors in your basement

.

What are signs of mold sickness?

• sinus and nasal congestion.
• nasal irritation.
• itchy, watery eyes.
• red eyes.
• blurry vision.
• wheezing.
• trouble breathing.
• coughing.

What are the symptoms of mold exposure?

• Coughing.
• Postnasal drip.
• Sneezing.
• Dry, scaly skin.
• Itchy eyes, nose, or throat.
• Nasal congestion.

How can I make my basement safe to live?

1. Make Sure the Apartment Is Up to Code. Any honest landlord and apartment complex owner will make sure that basement apartments are up to code. …
2. Test for Mold and Gas. …
3. Have an Escape Plan During Fire and Flooding. …
4. Have a Plan to Prevent and Deal with Burglary.

How can I make my basement healthy?

1. Dehumidify your basement. …
2. A basement exhaust is not a dehumidifier. …
3. Keep a finished basement warm in the heating season. …
4. Get rid of basement carpeting. …
5. No fiberglass insulation in the crawlspace. …
6. In an unfinished basement, store belongings properly.

How do you check for mold in the basement?

Check the floors, baseboards, and finished walls of the basement for streaks, stains or patches that appear slimy and/or are colored black, green or white with orange spots

. Also, look for stains with a yellowish tint. Under ideal conditions it can take between 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow.

What are the health effects of living in a damp house?

Occupants of damp or mouldy buildings are at increased risk of experiencing health problems such as

respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma

. Some people are more sensitive to mould than others, and some groups are especially vulnerable.

How do you know if your house is toxic?

Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface

. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don’t get too close, and call a professional right away.

How do you detox from mold exposure?

Sweating. Some people recommend

sweating, or using a sauna

, to support the process of mold detoxification. No research confirms that sweating can specifically help address the effects of mold. But a 2020 review suggests sweating does play an important role in your body’s natural detoxification process.

How can I test myself for mold exposure?

Urine testing for mold

is one of the most popular ways to test for mold exposure, as elevated levels of uric acid and other organic acids may indicate exposure to mycotoxins. These tests should be performed in a sterile lab testing facility and the results analyzed by a trusted medical lab.

What health problems are caused by mold?

Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as

watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue

. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person’s sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions.

How does mold affect your health?

Molds

produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants

. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.

Is it better to put dehumidifier upstairs or downstairs?

In conclusion, the best place to keep a dehumidifier most definitely is the

downstairs basement or upstairs close to the stairs

. This is because the basement is the most humid place in your house. If there is any other moist condition upstairs, its source must be resolved rather than placing a dehumidifier.

Will dehumidifier in basement dry whole house?

A portable dehumidifier in the basement will only help with moisture levels and humidity in the basement;

it just isn’t powerful enough to dehumidify the upstairs or the entire house

.

Is a damp basement a deal breaker?

To be clear,

a damp basement isn’t an automatic deal breaker

. Cardone says it’s possible to cure some basement problems without forking over a lot of cash. For instance, most of the time the moisture comes from rainwater that’s entering the basement because it’s not being channeled away from the house.

What are the disadvantages of a dehumidifier?

Con:

Noise and Heat

Dehumidifiers also tend to blow warm air out of the back of the unit. In the winter, this can be an advantage — but not so much in the summer. Position the back of your dehumidifier in a doorway so that it doesn’t heat up the room from which you are removing excess moisture.

Should I turn my dehumidifier off in the winter?

If the temperature or humidity drops below the ideal level, you will want to turn the dehumidifier off

. You never want the coils or water to freeze because it can cause lasting damage to the device.

How do I get moisture out of my basement without a dehumidifier?

1. Airflow to reduce humidity.
2. Crystal salt as a desiccant to absorb moisture.
3. Charcoal as a desiccant to absorb moisture.
4. Install the fan and proper ventilation.
5. Place dry clothes outdoors (in the sun)
6. Always have the air conditioning on.
7. Cool shower.