Comments on: I had a basement flood and we are trying to remodel after mold has grown.?

By: BasementGal

BasementGal — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:28:59 +0000

Before you spend all that money remodeling your basement make sure he is not going to flood again

Have a waterproofing company install an internal perimeter drainage system to collect all the water around and under your foundation and divert it to a sump pump.

The sump pump will then get the water out and discharge it away from the foundation. Only then you can safely remodel your basement.

As for materials I recommend you avoid drywall, wood studs and fiberglass insulation. All these materials are know to absorb water and grow mold. Fiberglass also loses all its R-Value when humid.

I suggest you look into finishing systems developed specifically for basements, considering that even basements that do not flood or leak, always have some level of moisture – usually ground moisture seeping in through the concrete basement walls.

Since not all theses systems are created equal, make sure you pick one that is 100% waterproof, non-absorbent and inorganic.

Cement core, rigid foam board insulated panels and plastic basement flooring tiles for example are made to withstand all sorts of basement conditions and will never get ruined even if your basement floods again. They also offer thermal and moisture protection and can be removed to access plumbing and wiring as needed – a very desirable feature in a basement.
References :
http://www.basement-repair.com/basement.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm3ROPdkqMM&feature=channel_page

http://knol.google.com/k/cynthia-freeney/new-basement-flooring-options/2zysz04ujf01c/2#

By: Sakura Baby

Sakura Baby — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:50:59 +0000

You need to fix the moisture problem first before you remodel. Clean the moldy surfaces with full strength of white vinegar. This will kill most of the molds. Do not use bleach on porous materials as it will aggravate the infestation. Make sure you wear proper protective attire like goggles, face mask, long rubber gloves and disposable clothing when handling molds. They are deadly. Vacuum with HEPA filter can help to catch any loose mold spores that are floating in the air.

Hope this helps.
References :
http://moldremovalfacts.com/basement-mold-removal/basement-mold-basement-mold-removal/

By: high lonesome

high lonesome — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:28:59 +0000

You have to remove any sheetrock etc. that got wet or moldy.Wash everything with a bleach cleaner.You need to address the issue about how the water got in and repair that first.You can use green board if you plan to sheetrock or wainscot up 3' then drywall to the ceiling.It looks a lot better than paneling.Basements should have heat vents and cold air returns the same as the main level.Make sure everything is dried out and damaged material has been replaced before proceeding.Good luck
References :

By: Kevin the Painter

Kevin the Painter — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:11:59 +0000

first thing first, you have to stop the moisture. you can not cover it up or block it out with paneling. the mold will just penetrate through. you should look up black mold on the net, i think you will find more than one reason to not encourage mold growth. you can be kicked out of your own house until you fix the problem. they can and will condem your house if you have black mold. they being the local health dept. where you live. all it takes is someone calling them about you. if i knew you had mold and children were living in your house, i would call. black mold can kill you. children expecially. you must stop the water coming in before you do anything on the inside of the basement.
References :
20 years in construction