White Mold On Concrete Basement Floor

Identifying mold growth on concrete can be a bit tricky.

White mold on concrete basement floor.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments. Many types of mold can appear white in color depending on the type of material on which they are growing including aspergillus cladosporium and penicillium penicillium is often blue or bluish green and white. This builds up on concrete surfaces in basements and in crawl spaces regularly occurring as part of the process of moisture coming from the earth. Removing concrete mold is important in preserving the health of those living and or working in the area where the mold is present.

Basement is one of the most ideal habitats for white mold. Mold is a living organism that occurs in wet environments. Moisture problems can occur in areas where rainfall is heavy and drainage is insufficient. In fact to the untrained eye efflorescence is almost identical to white mold.

After the concrete is cured secondary efflorescence can happen if there is a water problem present. Efflorescence is often mistaken for white mold in basement concrete because they look a lot alike. But if it s white mold growth things can get confusing. White mold in basement after flooding or prolonged dampness is easily identified by the characteristic white cottony mycelium of the mold that grows on the surfaces water damaged organic material.

Mold can have adverse health effects through excessive exposure. While the white powder often found on basement walls and mold are caused by similar conditions they are actually different materials. Efflorescence can look very similar to white mold growth. On concrete basement floors a problem with moisture rising up from the wet ground can cause a fuzzy white mold to grow on the surface.

Darkness humidity and warm temperature are characteristics that white mold loves. If it s black mold growth it is easy to identify. Types of white mold in basement environments. Mildew a type of fungus similar to mold may also appear white and powdery.

Most people confuse secondary efflorescence with mold because it looks like a white dusty mold growing on your concrete. There are several similar looking substances that can fool you. The white powder is efflorescence or minerals left behind as water that has flowed through the concrete walls evaporates. If the white powder is creating up on your concrete surfaces only then the substance is most likely not mold.

It is not. Also since the basement is dark the growth of white mold is often unseen until it reaches a serious level of infestation. It is not uncommon for mold to form on a concrete basement floor. This is when efflorescence is usually more than a white powder.

White mold in basement.