Mold in the Cold: Protecting Your Basement from Winter Humidity

Time and time again, customers tell us they can’t believe there’s mold in their basement or crawl space because “it’s so cold down there!” While it’s true that in Michigan, we often relate humidity with those endless August days where the second you set foot outside you feel like you’re in a swamp, humidity can occur even in cooler temperatures.

Everything from the ground temperature to poor air sealing can make your basement feel cool, and the presence of water (ambient moisture or active water leaks) can make it feel even colder. Not only is this uncomfortable when you’re in the basement, it also presents dangers in the form of mold.

Mold in your basement or crawl space can cause health problems, exacerbating allergies and asthma symptoms, when spores travel through the ducts and up into your home. Mold also threatens the structural integrity of your foundation by growing and feeding on wooden structures like support beams. It can also ruin stored items and just plain be an ugly, smelly nuisance in your home.

A simple hygrometer test, as a part of your free inspection, will tell us if your basement has humidity problems. Installing a SaniDry dehumidifier can control the moisture levels, preventing mold from taking over.

So this winter, don’t ignore the possibility of humidity-loving mold just because it’s cold. Call us and take care of the problem instead.