Give your home a healthy base(ment)

A healthy home is built on top of a sound basement. Too often, basements are neglected, resulting in poor air quality upstairs. Whether you enter your basement daily, or only occasionally, in order to be healthy, it needs to be maintained regularly.

Problem One: Mould in the basement

Because basements tend to be moist environments, they are susceptible to mould growth. Spores of mould can travel through the vents, and spread into the rest of your home. Regularly check for mould in your basement. Use your eyes. Look for black, white, or multicoloured spots on the ceilings, walls, windowsills, and floors. Remember that mould tends to grow upwards from the ground. Also check in cupboards of finished basements. Use your nose, too. A musty smell is an excellent indicator of the presence of mould. Did you find any mould? To clean mould from your basement, scrub it with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Throw away any materials that have been damaged by moisture. Next, following these steps so that mould will no longer find your basement hospitable:

1. Rainwater can build up around the foundation of your house and create moisture problems in the basement. To prevent this, add an attachment to any down spouts, running water several feet away from the house. Also, check to see if the grating around your house is allowing water to run away from your foundation.

2. Insulate basement walls to prevent moisture from working its way into your space. An added bonus is that insulation keeps your basement warmer! Be sure to use environmentally-friendly insulation.

3. Use a dehumidifier to dry out your basement. It will work wonders at relieving the heavy, musty feeling from your underground space.

4. If your laundry area is in the basement, ensure that your dryer’s vent is clear of any debris.

5. Clean and disinfect the basement floor drain regularly. Do not enclose the drain when finishing the basement. Instead, install an access door. Furthermore, do not finish a basement floor until all cracks in the concrete have been properly repaired.

6. Remove carpeting from your basement. It is nearly impossible to keep basement floors dry enough to avoid mould growth, and carpeting holds moisture and micro organisms.

Problem Two: An unchecked furnace

Improperly installed or inadequately maintained furnaces and water heaters can release toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, into the air you breathe. Often, you cannot smell these odourless gases, but can feel their effects. The ill effects of exposure to these pollutants can be headaches, lung irritation, nausea, dizziness, and weakness.

Simple maintenance can reduce the risk of your furnace leaking high levels of pollutants. Have it inspected and cleaned every year. Check filters every month, and replace them as directed by the manufacturer. If you think there may be a problem with your furnace, call the oil or gas company. Finally, install carbon monoxide detectors where you can hear them both during the day and at night.