What About Mold on Basement Walls?

Before we can resolve mold problems on walls, we need to look at solving the causes.  We first must drain away all of the water from the basement floor.  Now let us look at the walls.  Basement walls allow water vapor to pass through them.  Block walls allow water vapor through easily because of their hollow cores and allow cold, damp outside air to pass through, as well.

Chances are those basement walls are damp, stained and nasty looking.  They are often stained from moisture, mineral and mold with shades of gray & black colors.  Mineral stains look ugly, too.  Most walls are chalky & flaky with peeling paint or other types of coatings.  There are several possible solutions or options for these ugly, nasty walls.

• Use ZenWall paneling for a finished look without fully finishing the basement.
• Use ThermalDry Wall System when you plan to finish the basement.
• Use BrightWall paneling for an unfinished basement.
• Use CleanSpace for stone walled, unfinished basements.

Will mold grow behind ZenWall, ThermalDry, BrightWall, or CleanSpace?  Mold will not grow on clean concrete or plastic.  Mold needs organic material such as wood, paper, cardboard, latex paint or just plain dirt for it to grow.  We must keep organic materials dry to keep mold from growing.  Inorganic materials like concrete, plastic, metal, glass, etc., should be used in places that can’t be kept dry.